Porcupine Meatballs Recipe

Reviewed on Mar. 12, 2013 by Raynebow

Another picky kid winner! I made a double batch for five people but I didn't really need to. The rice bulked it up so nicely! I put the rest in a freezer bag and will reheat later this week. Planning on making double batches in the future just to have a second meal on hand! I also think next time, after browning, I will put in the crockpot with the sauce to cook all day.

Reviewed on Mar. 12, 2013 by Raynebow

Another picky kid winner! I made a double batch for five people but I didn't really need to. The rice bulked it up so nicely! I put the rest in a freezer bag and will reheat later this week. Planning on making double batches in the future just to have a second meal on hand!

Reviewed on Feb. 26, 2013 by Badhoopty

Sorry about the long review. I need to stop drinking before posting. Use 4 Tsp of Worcestershire sauce ( not 4 Tbsp ). And after I returned the meatballs to the pan and covered with sauce, I also put a lid over my pan while it simmered in the sauce.

Reviewed on Feb. 25, 2013 by Badhoopty

<p>We made this tonight following the recipe basically word for word. I simply doubled the ingredients because I just couldn't see 1 pound of hamburger filling up three people. We used white instant rice for the recipe and it worked great in my opinion.</p><p>Two adults and our 16 year old daughter. She ate five of the twenty meatballs that I was able to make for the 2 pounds of burger. I browned in olive oil on medium high heat and basically just browned both sides because the 12" skillet was a little crowded. I removed the browned meatballs to a plate while I disposed of the grease from the pan. I also rinsed the pan with hot water once the grease was gone. I returned the meatballs to the pan and covered with the sauce (2x recipe for me).</p><p>Simmered on a low bubble for 45 minutes (turning the meatballs a couple times). They were just great. I couldn't believe my daughter ate five of the twenty I made. My only suggestion is to take the time to make the meatballs evenly sized, and to be sure and mix the ingredients thoroughly before turning into meatballs. I suppose the only thing I changed was that I mixed only 3/4 cup of water to the ground beef and added two eggs. In the sauce I did not add the water at all, just the two 15 oz cans of tomato sauce, 4Tsp of Worchestershire sauce, and 4 Tbsp of brown sugar.</p><p>15 of the 20 meatballs were eaten. Only due to stomach capacity of 3 satisfied Kansan's. We will make this more often. So easy!</p>

Reviewed on Feb. 20, 2013 by nierika23

I love this recipe! It reminds me of the meatballs my mom used to make when I was little. The only change I made to it was I added 3 tbsp of Worcestershire instead of 2 tsp and reduced the brown sugar to 1 tbsp - I really prefer a tangier sauce. you can also add a little cayenne to give it a little kick. Otherwise this recipe is perfect!

Reviewed on Feb. 10, 2013 by Michele.Hester

My children loved making these meatballs - I loved eating them! No hard to slip brown rice into this one either.

Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2012 by TWeddle

When my youngest son was three (1996) he exclaimed, "I'll have more delicious please!" It has been a requested birthday meal favorite of his ever since.

Reviewed on Dec. 20, 2012 by galinthewoods

These were really good. They turned out much more spikey and porcupine-looking than the picture shows.

Reviewed on Jul. 27, 2012 by raysen

Made this last night and the kids loved it. My son kept asking for more and normally you have to beg him to just take one more bite. I did make one change in the recipe, my husband does not like his food to be sweet so instead of the brown sugar I added about 1/2- 1 teaspoon of ginger, roughly, I did not measure. And I also made them in the pressure cooker without browning to save on time. Only had to cook them for 15-20 min. at 15 lbs of pressure.

Reviewed on Jun. 19, 2012 by s_bar_f

Delicious!

Reviewed on Jan. 20, 2012 by Cherie Hill

I have been making this ever since it appeared in your magazine years ago. This is one of our most favorite meatball recipe. The only thing I do different is add a little onion powder to the meatballs and I usually add a 8oz. can of tomato sauce because we like extra sauce. We love it withashed potatoes or potatoes I put through my river. DELICIOUS!!! We love the leftovers too :-)

Reviewed on Dec. 13, 2011 by mrs.mark

Yum! My aunt makes something very similer to these, and I've always loved her's. These are good too.

Reviewed on Oct. 01, 2011 by knofflerrocks

An easy to fix favorite with great flavor. Usually have all the ingredients in the pantry so it's a good, quick, and easy workday meal at our house.

Reviewed on Sep. 01, 2011 by Sunny1978

While I think these would be fun for kids as the meatballs do take on a fun "spiky" porcupine look as you cook them, I only found them "ok" in taste. I think next time I would still make the meatballs with the rice but try a different recipe for the sauce.

Reviewed on Apr. 21, 2011 by lvstocook

I liked the recipe because I had everything on hand; it did not take special ingredients. My family loved it!

Reviewed on Feb. 18, 2011 by Selene K

This is tops in comfort food. I have to admit ,that the first time in my married life, I did not have tomato sauce on hand, so I used petite diced tomatoes I already had on hand. Ran them through the blender and it worked very well. These were even better (as many tomatoey recipes are) the next day as leftovers. Thanks so much. This is just what I was looking for.

Reviewed on Jan. 20, 2011 by senzascusa

I can't quite figure out what all the excitement is about this recipe. It was just okay. I would prefer meatballs without rice anyday and the sauce wasn't great. I would far prefer spaghetti sauce or sweet and sour or mushroom or just about anything else. Won't make this again, but glad I tried it.

Reviewed on Jan. 12, 2011 by marshelle

Have made these many times. Inexpensive, easy, and delicious! Usually serve them over mashed potatoes. I also usually double the sauce, but I like the sauce to be a little less sweet, so I don't double the brown sugar. It's a winner every time I serve it. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!

Reviewed on Jan. 09, 2011 by vickinboys

This is a very good recipe. The only change I made was to add cut up green peppers to the sauce and, since I was out of onions, I replaced them with 3 tablespoons of dried, minced onion. The dried onion added very nice flavor. This recipe will make an excellent stuffed peppers recipe as well.

Reviewed on Jan. 07, 2011 by togood

A good recipe. I didn't change a thing. These would even be good as a meatball sub with hot peppers and cheese. This is a keeper.

Reviewed on Jan. 05, 2011 by Stacey4

These were great meatballs. With the rice in the meatballs and the tomato sauce, it kind of reminded me of cabbage rolls without the cabbage. I doubled the entire recipe and had just enough to feed two adolescent boys, their father, and myself

Reviewed on Nov. 20, 2010 by lightedway

These are good. After reading the reviews I decided to double the sauce. I had only one can of tomato sauce so I used that and one can of petite cut tomatoes. I omitted the water since the canned tomatoes have a lot of water in them. It turned out great. My husband loved them and I usually don't get good reviews for "my meatballs" :)

Reviewed on Nov. 12, 2010 by Sweet Peaxyz

I doubled the sauce ingredients. This is a great freezer meal; I make extra meatballs which can be frozen, then thawed and browned.

Reviewed on Nov. 07, 2010 by stayathomemomma15

This is by far the best recipe I have ever gotten from Taste of Home. This is my six year olds favorite meal...and that says a lot since she is such a picky eater. This would be a great dish for a potluck or for a meal to impress your friends, family or co-workers!

Reviewed on Sep. 28, 2010 by angelbaby52585

My husband, who usually doesn't like meatballs, went back for seconds with these!!! They are great!

Reviewed on Sep. 24, 2010 by Toni Anderson

This recipe, served with the baked mashed potatoes, has been a number 1 favorite with my family and friends since it first appeard in the magazine in 1995.I always double or triple it and make twice as much sauce as called for per batch, yet there is never anything left!! The more I make, the more they eat!!!I use it for a new mommy gift, housewarming, welcome back, etc. It is always a hit! Thanks!!

Reviewed on Sep. 24, 2010 by Njfallon

Delicious! I like to forego the tomato sauce occasionally and use a mushroom gravy instead.

Reviewed on Aug. 03, 2010 by jaxons1gma

Just like the ones my mom use to make. The whole family loves them, and there is never any leftovers.

Reviewed on Jun. 27, 2010 by LadybugDiva

My mother-in-law use to make this for my hubby and I when we first got together and I just loved it. Over the years I have been trying different recipes so I could make it myself. I finally found a keeper. My picky child ate every bit of it with no complaints.

I took a few of the reviews and doubled the tomato sauce, worcstershire sauce and brown sugar. It was excellent. Served with rice and green beans. Since I doubled the sauce I served it over the rice. Very yummy and will make it again. : )

Reviewed on Feb. 11, 2010 by mcdance

I've been making this recipe since it first appeared in your magazine. THERE IS NOTHING FINER IN THE PORCUPINE RECIPE area!

Reviewed on Feb. 06, 2010 by needsomezzzs

Delicious, I didn't have celery salt so used seasoning salt. Did double the sauce as well. Everyone cleaned their plates!

Reviewed on Jul. 20, 2009 by Summy

Oops..I meant Spinach Apple Salad.

Reviewed on Jul. 20, 2009 by Summy

This has been a family favorite for years. I make mine with lean ground turkey. And, I also make the Baked Mashed Potatos, which are delicious too. This recipe was in a TOH magazine that also include Emily's Spinach Salad as a side (with apple and raisens)...a very refreshing accompaniment to this meal. YUMMY!!!

Reviewed on Jun. 20, 2009 by poohpal

This recipe rocks!!! Easy to make. I double the sauce though, doesn't seem to be enough.

Reviewed on Apr. 01, 2009 by casi1

The whole family loved these. I made extra and sent them to my sister-in-law and my brother-in-law said I could cook for him anytime. A big hit with everyone. Definitely a keeper!

Reviewed on Jan. 24, 2009 by Jellybean

These meatballs are wonderful! Very easy to prepare too. I served them with another TOH recipe for Baked Mashed Potatoes. Great meal!

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2008 by partot

These meatballs are great... our family loves them! We do substitute quick-cooking oats for the long grain rice, as oats are always in our cabinet, but they're perfect every time we make them. Truly... a wonderful recipe to have!

Reviewed on May. 29, 2008 by whitstep

My husband loves these hearty meatballs! One time, I accidently doubled the Worcestershire sauce and it made them taste even better!

Reviewed on May. 29, 2008 by whitstep