Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce features tender beef-and-rice meatballs simmered gently in a rich, tangy tomato sauce. Each bite is hearty yet comforting, with soft grains of rice creating a unique texture and sweet onion rounding out the flavor. Ideal for cozy weeknights or family dinners, it pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or a side of steamed vegetables.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook1 hr
- Serves5
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 52 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 89 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 19
- Heart Health
- 57
- Metabolic
- 22
- Digestive
- 26
- Inflammatory
- 46
- Performance
- 42
- General Wellness
- 1
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, rice, 1/2 cup of water, and the onion. Stir in the salt, celery salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Form into 1 1/2 inch balls.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs, then drain the fat.
- 3
In an 11x7 inch baking dish, mix the tomato sauce with 1 cup of water. Add the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce, turning them to coat well.
- 4
Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Calories 345.25 kcal Moderate 17%
- Protein 18.96 g Good Source 38%
- Carbohydrate 24.42 g 9%
- Total Fat 18.56 g High 24%
- Saturated Fat 7.42 g High 37%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 65.04 mg High 22%
- Sodium 456.54 mg Moderate 20%
- Dietary Fiber 2.34 g Low Source 8%
- Total Sugars 4.99 g --
- Added Sugars 0.99 g Low Source 2%
- Calcium 37.48 mg Low Source 3%
- Iron 2.65 mg Moderate 15%
- Potassium 263.77 mg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin A 53.77 mcg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin C 4.59 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Celery
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce is made with 9 ingredients and serves 5. It takes about 1 hr 30 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Celery Salt, Diced Onion, and Garlic Powder. Each serving provides about 345.25 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Celery Salt, Diced Onion, Garlic Powder, Ground Beef. The full list of 9 is above.
- How long does it take to make Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce?
- About 1 hr 30 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 345.25 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 9 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce healthy?
- Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 345.25 calories and 18.96 g of protein, or 38% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 456.54 mg (20% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 7.42 g (37% of the Daily Value). It contains Celery, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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