Porcupine Meatballs

Make dinner fun with this delicious porcupine meatball recipe! Tender ground beef and rice are combined and simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce that will have you - and anyone you serve these to - come back for more after each bite! Plus, these meatballs are so, so easy to make. In fact, less than a handful of steps are all you have to follow to make 'em, and all you're responsible for is about 15 minutes worth of hands-on cooking - your oven will take care of the rest from there. 

My Take On Porcupine Meatballs

Before we go on any further, let me just say my nieces just love these porcupine meatballs! It's a fun way to get them to eat a good wholesome meal without any fuss. So if you have kids, I'm sure your kids will love it too.

While it's fun for kids, the adults in your life will appreciate this nutritious and delicious recipe as well. Baked meatballs in a rich tomato sauce are the perfect main course for a weeknight dinner or party appetizer.

Serve 'em over mashed potatoes, on sub rolls, or set them out on a platter for grazing. There's no wrong way to eat 'em!

Why This Recipe Works:

It's so quick and easy to make. Simply combine your ingredients to make the meatball mixture, cover in a rich tomato soup, and bake! You can have these on the table in an hour.

It tastes delicious. I don't know one person who doesn't love a juicy, flavorful meatball and this recipe yields just that! Seasoned with all of your favorite herbs and spices, these porcupine meatballs do not disappoint.

They're a crowd favorite: Meatballs are perfect for any party or gathering. They're an easy one bite option and aren't super messy. Pop a toothpick into each meatball for a simple appetizer!

Ingredients:

The ingredients needed to make these porcupine meatballs are pretty common. I'll bet you have most of them right now.

Take a look:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup cooked long grain rice
• ¼ cup onion diced
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons parsley fresh
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg
• 1 can (10 oz) condensed tomato soup undiluted
• 1 cup vegetable juice such as V8
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped parsley, for garnish

If you have the ingredients for these meatballs, another delicious recipe you can make with them - well, most of them anyway - is this easy Southern meatloaf recipe! It's a family favorite in our house.

How to make porcupine meatballs

1. Prep work: Start by preheating your oven to 350F. Then, in a large bowl, mix the ground beef, rice, onion, garlic powder, parsley, Worcestershire, egg, salt, and pepper until just combined. 

2. Shape the meatballs: Roll the mixture into approximately 20 balls. Place in a baking dish or Dutch oven. Combine all ingredients for the tomato sauce and pour it over the meatballs. 

4. Bake the meatballs: Bake the meatballs, uncovered, for 1 hour. Garnish with parsley, salt, and pepper. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes and enjoy!

My tips to make the best porcupine meatballs

• Try not to over-mix your meat mixture! If you overmix the ground beef mixture, you'll end up with a tough meatball. Mix the ingredients gently until just combined for the best result.
• Don't be afraid to adjust the seasonings as you see best for your tastes! My family can't get enough garlic in our dishes, while others may shy away from it. Ultimately, the choice is yours!
• I suggest sprinkling a little parmesan cheese overtop these meatballs right before serving. Cheese makes everything better!

How to store leftover porcupine meatballs

In the fridge: Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat them within 3 days for the best experience.

In the freezer: You can store these meatballs cooked, or raw, in the freezer. For raw meatballs, flash freeze them on a cookie sheet before putting them into a Ziploc freezer bag. You'll find they won't freeze together using this method. When freezing leftover meatballs, cover the meatballs in the sauce and freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Reheating: Reheating these meatballs is easiest if you let them thaw overnight in the fridge first. Once thawed, pop them into an oven-safe baking dish and heat in a 350F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until your desired temperature is reached. You can also stick them in the microwave for about 5 minutes if you're in a hurry!

What to serve with these Meatballs

These meatballs are a delicious meal on their own, or alongside a dish like these:

• Red Skin Mashed Potatoes 
• Stick of Butter Rice 

You can also use these porcupine meatballs as a base for this Meatball Sub Casserole 

FAQs about this recipe:

Do I have to use ground beef?

No way! Ground pork, chicken, turkey, or even sausage are all excellent substitutes for ground beef in this recipe. 

Why are they called Porcupine Meatballs?

The cooked rice pokes out of these meatballs making them look a little bit like porcupines! 

What is your favorite way to serve these meatballs? 

My family really enjoys these meatballs served over creamy mashed potatoes like these Incredibly Creamy Sous Vide Mashed Potatoes.