Easy Porcupines

Transform your weeknight dinners with these charming and hearty "Easy Porcupines," a retro-inspired dish that combines simplicity with satisfying flavor. These meatballs are crafted from tender ground beef, laced with uncooked rice that cooks right in the meat for a delightful, "porcupine-like" texture. A touch of garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning enhances the savory profile, while a rich tomato sauce infuses them with warmth and comfort. Ready in under an hour, this one-skillet recipe is both beginner-friendly and perfect for busy nights. Serve these flavorful porcupine meatballs over mashed potatoes, pasta, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce. Whether you're feeding your family or revisiting nostalgic flavors, this budget-friendly meal will quickly become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 large egg
• 0.25 cup onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 2

Using your hands, shape the mixture into 12 evenly-sized meatballs.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, gently place the meatballs in the skillet and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet; brown in batches if necessary.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, water, and dried Italian seasoning.

Step 5

Once the meatballs are browned, carefully pour the tomato sauce mixture over the meatballs in the skillet.

Step 6

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Step 7

After 30 minutes, remove the lid and let the sauce cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Step 8

Serve hot with the sauce spooned over the meatballs. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1347.9 grams (1347.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1747

Total Fat 102.70g	132%
Saturated Fat 36.40g	182%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.40g
Cholesterol 541mg	180%
Sodium 4036mg	175%
Total Carbohydrate 118.60g	43%
Dietary Fiber 9.70g	35%
Total Sugars 19.70g
Protein 94.40g	189%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 200mg	15%
Iron 12mg	68%
Potassium 2762mg	59%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.0%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 26.7%