Easy Porcupine Meatballs
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Growing up, one of my favorite things to have for dinner was my mom’s rice meatballs. Once I was older and on my own, I found out that this dish is also called porcupine meatballs.
It may seem like a weird name for a meal, but it all comes from the look of the meatballs. Rice is mixed into the beef before it is formed into balls. After cooking, the rice gives the appearance of what a porcupine would look like with his poky quills.

I recently saw my friend Jamie from Jamie Cooks it up post a version of porcupine meatballs. I saw that it only took 3 ingredients to make and knew I’d have to give it a try.
This recipe is a beefy version where my mom’s is a version coated in a tomato sauce. However, it was a welcomed change. The family enjoyed it and it is quicker to make than my mom’s version. The rice and flavor for these meatballs comes from a box of beef Rice a Roni that is also mixed in the ground beef along with an egg and water.

Here is what you need to make the
Easy Porcupine Meatballs
- GROUND BEEF
- BEEF FLAVORED RICE A RONI
- EGG
- WATER

Easy Porcupine Meatballs
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 6.8 oz box beef flavored Rice A Roni
- 1 egg
- 2 ¼ cups water
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the beef along with the rice/pasta from the box of Rice A Roni. Set a side the seasoning packet to use in a little bit.
- Add the egg into the mixing bowl also. Combine the beef, past/rice, and egg together.
- Shape into 25 golf ball shaped meatballs. Then cook in a skillet over medium heat to brown all sides.
- Now add the seasoning packet to 2 1/4 cups of water. Stir to combine and then pour over the meatballs.
- Allow to come to a simmer and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice/pasta is tender. Serves 4-5.
Recipe adapted from Jamie Cooks It Up.