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.
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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Using your hands, shape the mixture into 12 evenly-sized meatballs.
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.
In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, water, and dried Italian seasoning.
Once the meatballs are browned, carefully pour the tomato sauce mixture over the meatballs in the skillet.
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.
After 30 minutes, remove the lid and let the sauce cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Serve hot with the sauce spooned over the meatballs. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1747 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 102.7 g | 132% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.4 g | 182% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 541 mg | 180% | |
| Sodium | 4036 mg | 175% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 118.6 g | 43% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.7 g | 35% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.7 g | ||
| Protein | 94.4 g | 189% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 200 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 12.2 mg | 68% | |
| Potassium | 2762 mg | 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.
