Porcupine Meatballs

4.6
(300)
254 Reviews
39 Photos

These porcupine meatballs are by far the best I have ever had! This recipe was given to my mom when she married back in 1970 — it includes directions for stovetop cooking and baking in the oven. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family does.

Submitted by Melinda S
Updated on March 4, 2025
39
Porcupine meatballs in tomato sauce served over white rice.
39
39
39
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
55 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
12 meatballs
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Porcupine meatballs have stood the test of time and for good reason: They're easy to make, budget-friendly, and absolutely delicious. Once you try this nostalgic recipe, it’ll become a staple in your home. 

What Are Porcupine Meatballs?

Porcupine meatballs are ground beef-rice balls cooked in tomato sauce. The meatballs, a staple during the Great Depression because of the few ingredients required to make them, get their name from their appearance to porcupines (the rice makes the balls appear prickly).

How to Make Porcupine Meatballs

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make porcupine meatballs: 

  1. Make the meatballs. 
  2. Heat oil and brown the meatballs in a hot skillet.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet. 
  4. Continue cooking until the meatballs are cooked through. 

What to Serve With Porcupine Meatballs

Serve the porcupine meatballs with toothpicks as an appetizer, over a bed of rice or your favorite pasta, or in a sub sandwich. Really, you can enjoy the meatballs however you like! The possibilities are endless. 

Melinda's Porcupine Meatballs

Qi Ai/Allrecipes

How to Store Porcupine Meatballs

Store porcupine meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove. 

Can You Freeze Porcupine Meatballs? 

Yes! Porcupine meatballs freeze well. Flash freeze the cooked meatballs on a baking sheet for a few hours or up to overnight, then transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months.

If you like, you can also freeze the porcupine meatballs before cooking. Simply cook them from-frozen on the stove whenever you want to whip up a quick dish.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“It was a good, simple recipe to follow,” raves Gregory Forster Jr. “The rice came out at just the right tenderness.”

“Like others, my mom also used tomato soup, but using tomato sauce instead really makes a difference,” says Amber G. “I can honestly say these are better than the ones mom used to make (sorry, mom)!”

“I made these exactly as written and served over sautéed cabbage and onions,” according to Charlie. “Very good and I will make a double batch next time.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • ½ cup uncooked long grain white rice

  • ½ cup water

  • ⅓ cup chopped onion

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon celery salt

  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 cup low sodium chicken stock, or more as needed

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients to make porcupine meatballs gathered in small bowls on a kitchen counter.

    ALLRECIPES / QI AI

  2. Mix ground beef, rice, water, onion, salt, celery salt, garlic powder, and black pepper thoroughly in a bowl until well combined. Roll mixture into 12 meatballs.

    meat mixture rolled into balls.

    ALLRECIPES / QI AI

  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place meatballs into the hot skillet; cook, turning once halfway through cooking, until well browned, about 8 minutes. Drain and discard excess grease.

    meatballs being seared in a skillet.

    ALLRECIPES / QI AI

  4. Pour tomato sauce, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar into the skillet; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until meatballs are no longer pink in the center and rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in more stock if sauce becomes too dry.

    meatballs cooked in a tomato broth until rice is tender.

    ALLRECIPES / QI AI

  5. Enjoy!

    Porcupine Meatballs on a spoon over rice, ready to eat.

    ALLRECIPES / QI AI

Cook’s Note

You can make these porcupine meatballs in the oven, if you prefer. Here's how:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
  2. Shape meatballs as directed above and place them in an 8x8-inch baking dish. 
  3. Mix tomato sauce, stock, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar in a bowl; pour over meatballs. 
  4. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes.


Editor's Note:

This recipe was tested in our test kitchen in November 2023 and updated to use low-sodium stock instead of water in the sauce and added sugar to balance the acidity.

694 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

364 Calories
18g Fat
16g Carbs
35g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 364
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 1280mg 56%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 35g 71%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 52mg 4%
Iron 5mg 29%
Potassium 947mg 20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

You’ll Also Love

Best Easy Meatballs
Best Easy Meatballs
4 Ratings
Swedish Meatballs I
508 Ratings
Porcupine meatballs in tomato sauce topped with basil leaves
Easy Porcupine Meatballs
123 Ratings
Swedish Meatballs with Cream of Mushroom Soup
6 Ratings
Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs With Peppers
69 Ratings
Swedish Meatballs (From a Swede!)
84 Ratings
looking at a bowl full of meatballs, garnished with chopped parsley
The Best Meatballs
1,666 Ratings
high angle looking at a plate full of saucy sweet and sour meatballs
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
486 Ratings
mid angle looking at a bowl of meatballs with one cut in half
Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs
623 Ratings
Smothered Meatballs
190 Ratings
overhead view of meatballs served with a Swedish Meatball sauce served in a saucepan
Easy Swedish Meatball Sauce
468 Ratings
Asian-Inspired Pork and Rice Meatballs with Apricot Glaze
Spicy Buffalo-Style Meatballs
4 Ratings
overhead view of glazed meatballs on parchment-lined tray
Apple Butter Meatballs
1 Rating
Simple Porcupine Meatballs
82 Ratings
A bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce, topped with meatballs and parmesan cheese
The Best Meatballs You'll Ever Have
524 Ratings