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Porcupine Meatballs are a kid-favorite meal
This was hands-down, one of my favorite meals as a kid. It’s one of the first meals my mom taught me to cook because it is super easy. I don’t think you can beat the combo of kid-friendly and simple to make – Porcupine Meatballs tick both boxes. Well, there is delicious too, which this meal definitely is.
What to serve with Porcupine Meatballs?
Porcupine Meatballs aren’t quite a one-pot meal, but they are close. You only need to add a veggie or salad, for a balanced meal with complementary flavors. I paired it with simple, steamed broccoli for the photos, but I have some other suggestions from right here on the blog. Caramelized Broccoli with Garlic Vinaigrette would be a great side dish, as would Rainbow Veggie Slaw. This is a hardy dish, so bold flavors are a nice pairing. Brussels Sprouts with Shallots or Carrots with Rosemary are other great ideas. See the end of the post for bread and dessert ideas.
Make the meatballs
First, you’re going to make the meatballs. See the recipe below for the amounts. All of the ingredients are measured into a large bowl. I use my hands to mix it all together.
You can wear disposable gloves if you don’t care for handling raw food. You could use a spoon, but that is by far the hardest way to get it all completely combined. The ingredients must be very well incorporated. This ensures the best flavor and even cooking.
After the ingredients are well combined, use a cookie scoop, or disher to make the meatballs all a uniform size. Roll them between your hands so that they are round and a bit packed together. This ensures they don’t fall apart when you stir them later on.
Arrange them in a skillet, so that they all touch the bottom and are evenly spaced. I’m not a fan of using non-stick pans, but they are really good for this particular recipe because you can’t stir the meatballs until they are cooked part way through. See the recipe card for my recommendation.
Two ways to make the sauce
I have made these Porcupine Meatballs hundreds of times, so I admit that I do the sauce the easy way, as you can see from the photos below. I layer each sauce ingredient, one at a time. They combine on their own as the meatballs cook; after about 10 minutes, you can stir everything together. If you find it easier to use a 4-cup measuring cup to combine everything and pour it over the meatballs, that works very well too.
Here’s how to make these delicious Porcupine Meatballs
Porcupine Meatballs
Equipment
- Calphalon large non-stick pan with lid 10-year warranty makes this a good value
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 1/2 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup white long grain rice
- 1/3 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 medium onion [about 8 ounce]
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley [1 tablespoon dried]
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder/granules
Sauce
- 15 ounce can plain tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Durkees or Crystal hot sauce [optional]
- 1 cup chicken stock, beef stock or water
Instructions
Make the meatballs
- Place all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl.
- Using your hands, with gloves or not, [the best way] or a spoon, completely combine the meatball ingredients. The mixture should be completely uniform, with no pockets at all of unmixed ingredients.
- Using a 2 ounce disher, large cookie scoop, or just eyeballing it, portion the mixture into large meatballs. Roll each meatball between your hands until they are round and packed together.
- As you roll them, place the meatballs in a large skillet, so that each one touches the bottom, and there is a small bit of space between them.
Make the sauce
- There are two ways to make the sauce, as I mentioned in the post. You can add all of the sauce ingredients to a large measuring cup or medium bowl, and mix everything together. Pour the resulting mixture evenly over the meatballs.
- OR
- You can evenly distribute each of the sauce ingredients over the meatballs, one at a time.
- Cover the pan and place over medium heat. Keep an eye on it, until it comes up to a simmer. Don't stir it, or the meatballs will start to fall apart.
- When it comes up to a simmer, lower the heat slightly, and keep covered.
- After 10 minutes, stir gently and allow to cook for about 35 minutes more. Keep the heat low enough to maintain a simmer, and stir gently a couple of times to make sure nothing is sticking. If you have any sticking, lower the heat a bit. You add a little more stock if the sauce seems too thick.
- The dish is done when you can see cooked rice sticking out of the sides of the meatballs, and the sauce is thickened. If you want to be absolutely sure it's done, you can cut open a meatball, to make the rice is cooked. 45 minutes total cooking time is usually plenty of time though.
- Serve hot, with a side veggie or salad and maybe some bread to sop up the extra sauce.
- *See notes for cooking Porcupine Meatballs in the oven.
Notes
I have to admit, we still enjoy them from time to time, even though our kids have flown the nest.
These Porcupine Meatballs do make a lovely sauce, so you might want to serve Soft Cornmeal Muffins or Anadama Bread to sop that up. And for dessert, maybe Chocolate Pudding Cake. For another delicious dinner option, check out Mediterranean Chicken with Kale.
Justine marie says
Used brown rice in half and white in others and we loved both!!
Donalyn says
Thanks you Justine! To other readers – the brown rice should be cooked ahead of time.
Anjali says
I know my kids will love this recipe!! I’m making it for dinner tonight!
Donalyn says
I hope they love it Anjali ❤️
Kimberly says
My kids have been learning how to cook more independently and this recipe was easy enough for them to follow. They had fun making them and loved the “porcupine” appearance!
Donalyn says
I’m glad to hear that Kimberly – thank you!
Gianne says
The meatballs were juicy and flavorful, and the rice added a nice texture. The tomato sauce was delicious and really tied the dish together. Definitely making this again!
Donalyn says
Thanks Gianne – glad to hear that you liked it!
Dina and Bruce says
What a great meal! Served it with a side salad! Perfect.
Donalyn says
Thanks Dina and Bruce – I love these with a salad!
suja md says
This was a such a delicious recipe! So good!
Donalyn says
Thanks Suja – glad that you enjoyed them!
Andrea says
I can see why you’ve made these so many times. They are quick, easy and delicious. My family are going to love them.
Donalyn says
Thanks Andrea – one of the fastest, easy dinners ever!
Harriet Young says
These were so yummy! Loved the flavours in the meatballs and loved the flavour of the sauce too. Delicious.
Donalyn says
Thanks Harriet! ❤️
Jill says
My whole family enjoyed these porcupine meatballs. This recipe is a keeper!
Donalyn says
Thank you Jill – I’m so glad to hear that!
Charah says
Great recipe, I’ll definitely try this! Thanks for sharing
Donalyn says
Thanks Charah – hope you enjoy them!
dana says
These are super tasty and easy to throw together. It was a hit with the whole fam. Thanks!
Donalyn says
So good to hear, Dana!
Paula says
My whole family loved eating these porcupine meatballs for dinner last night!
Donalyn says
That’s great Paula – I’m glad!
Harriet Young says
Love these so much! They are popular with the whole family. Thank you!
Donalyn says
Thank you Harriet!