Easy Porcupine Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
By: Connie Reefer
Easy Porcupine Meatballs are delicious meatballs made with ground beef, rice, and diced onions, all in a flavourful sauce made with condensed tomato soup. This is such a quick and easy meal to prepare, and it’s delicious.
I had never heard of them until my husband introduced them to me. The smell of seasoned beef simmering in tomato soup filled the kitchen. They are so cute. Those little meatballs had bits of rice poking out all around like tiny porcupine quills, which makes me laugh out loud. This dish is nothing fancy, but it’s deeply comforting and surprisingly satisfying. Its cuteness can be a fun foodie option to get the little ones to enjoy.
Porcupine meatballs in tomato sauce are hearty on their own, but pairing them with the right sides can turn this dish into a full, satisfying meal that I know your family will love. This meatball dish is so easy to make. The best part is how hands-off it is once you get them in the oven or pressure cooker. It takes an average of an hour in the oven. I use a pressure cooker, so it takes about 15 minutes to cook. These are absolutely a low-mess situation.
Why This Dish?
- Budget-friendly: The porcupine meatballs are made with simple ingredients that can be stretched into a filling meal.
- Quick and Easy: Combines everything in one pot with minimal fuss.
- Customizable: Add your favorite herbs and spices or tweak the sauce to your taste.
- Crowd-Pleasing: A hearty dish that both kids and adults love.
What You Will Need
You will need the following items to prepare this dish.
- Baking dish, 9′ x13″, a Dutch oven, or a pressure cooker
- saucepan
- large bowl
- ingredients
Recipe for Porcupine Meatballs
These easy, tender meatballs are filled with rice and simmered in tomato-based broth. Those little meatballs had bits of rice poking out all around like tiny porcupine quills.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 340kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb Ground Beef
- ½ cup White Rice or Long Grain Rice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Onions
- 1 can Tomato Soup
- ½ cup Water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the meat, onions, rice, salt, and pepper. Mixing thoroughly.
- Roll into small/medium meatballs. Place the meatballs onto a plate.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the tomato soup and water, stirring until mixed.
- Brown meatballs in a medium skillet until the outside edges are brown and crispy.
- Place prepared meatballs in the pressure cooker, and pour tomato soup over the meatballs.
- Pressure cook 15lbs for 10 mins.
- Serving: Approximately 1 cup of soup and 4 medium meatballs.
Notes
Stove-top Method
To cook on the stovetop (range), you can use a Dutch Oven.
- In a Dutch oven or deep pan, add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add prepared meatballs to the pan and brown the outsides of the meatballs. Once browned, pour the sauce directly onto the meatballs in the Dutch Oven. Cover with a lid. Cook over low heat until the meatballs and rice are cooked through, about 45 minutes.
Oven Baked Method
To cook in the oven, you can use a Dutch Oven or 9’x13″ baking pan..
- In a deep pan, add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add prepared meatballs to the pan and brown the outsides of the meatballs. Once browned, transfer to a 9’x13″ baking pan. Pour the sauce directly onto the meatballs in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil. Cook over low heat until the meatballs and rice are cooked through, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 5g | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 890mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Iron: 2.2mg
Side Items
These hearty meatballs can be served with:
- Rice or Buttered Noodles – In case you want to stretch the meal or have some picky eaters.
- Mashed Potatoes (my favorite) – Creamy mashed potatoes pair perfectly with the tangy tomato sauce.
- Oven-Roasted Potatoes – A seasoned, golden-brown option for those who want something with a bit more bite.
- Green Beans with Bacon – Southern-style and full of flavor
- Steamed Broccoli or Peas – Simple, healthy, and kid-friendly.
- Classic Garden Salad – Light, fresh, and balances out the richness of the meatballs.
- Buttery Dinner Rolls – Perfect for soaking up that tomato broth.
- Cornbread – Adds a touch of sweetness and a contrasting texture.
So if you’re staring into your pantry wondering what to cook, give this humble dish a try. It might not look like much, but it’s full of comfort, and flavor. Sometimes the old recipes are the ones that stick around. Let me know know what you think about this recipe. if you would like a copy of this email leave me a comment.
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