1-First Step: Gather and Mix the Ingredients Start by combining all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Add 1½ pounds 80/20 ground beef, 1 beaten egg, 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup long grain uncooked white rice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, and ⅓ cup water. Mix everything gently with your hands until it’s well blended, but don’t overwork it to keep the meatballs tender. This prep takes about 10 minutes and sets the foundation for great flavor.

2-Second Step: Form and Brown the Meatballs Once mixed, shape the mixture into about 20 golf ball-size meatballs. Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the meatballs in a single layer, spaced about 1 inch apart, and brown them on all sides for around 10 minutes. This step adds a nice crust and locks in juices, so keep an eye on them to avoid burning. After browning, transfer the meatballs to a plate and discard the excess grease, which should take another 5 minutes.

3-Third Step: Prepare the Sauce In the same skillet, combine the sauce ingredients: 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce, ½ cup chicken or beef stock, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 4 tablespoons salted butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Stir everything together over medium heat until it simmers, which helps the flavors meld. This usually takes 2-3 minutes and creates a thin, tasty sauce unlike thicker marinara.

4-Fourth Step: Simmer the Meatballs Add the browned meatballs back into the skillet, turning them to coat evenly with the sauce. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low, then let it simmer for 45 to 50 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking; the rice inside the meatballs will become tender, giving them that signature porcupine look. Check after 45 minutes to see if the rice is soft this step is crucial for the best texture and takes most of the cooking time.

5-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Once done, remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a minute. Serve the porcupine meatballs family-style on a platter, garnished with minced fresh flat leaf parsley or basil. Pair with options like cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to make it a full meal about 4-6 servings. The total time is around 1 hour and 20 minutes, and you’ll have a dish that’s not only tasty but also packed with 431 calories per serving, including 25 grams of protein. For more recipe inspiration, try our banana bread coffee cake as a sweet side.