A classic retro dinner of ground beef and rice, made in 30 minutes.

Dont worrythese meatballs arent actually made out of porcupines!

With rice and meat all in one dish, you just need a vegetable side to complete the meal.

porcupine meatballs with ground beef and rice in tomato sauce in a white serving bowl

Coco Morante

What Are Porcupine Meatballs?

This recipe is an update on a classic 1970s Betty Crocker dish, Oven Porcupines.

You know that classic frozen mix of carrots, corn, peas, green beans and lima beans?

Meatballs with rice in a white dish.

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I also like to serve these meatballs on top of spiralized zucchini noodles, or withriced cauliflower.

For a retro dinner a la Betty Crocker, serve them with iceberg wedge salads andsteamed green beans.

New To Pressure Cooking?

Pressure Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Coco Morante

If youre new to pressure cooking, an electric, programmable model is a great place to start.

There are a few well-rated brands on the market.

Were a household of two and we like having leftovers, so this size works out well for us.

Pressure Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Coco Morante

They can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

They also freeze well!

Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop over low heat.

Onions sauteeing in an instant pot to make pressure cooker meatballs.

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Love Meatballs?

Add the tomato sauce, water, and Worcestershire sauce, increasing the water to one full cup.

While the sauce is coming up to a simmer, make the meatballs.

Sauce for meatballs instant pot mixed in the pot.

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Drop the meatballs into the simmering sauce, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low.

Let simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 45 minutes.

(If you are using a stovetop pressure cooker, heat the oil over medium heat.)

Instant pot meat balls raw and in a bowl.

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Add half of the chopped onions and garlic.

Saute until the onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and water.

Porcupine meatballs in the pot with tomato sauce.

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Let this warm until it comes to a simmer.

While tomato sauce is coming up to a simmer, make the meatballs.

Roll into ping-pong ball-sized meatballs (1 1/2 inches or so).

Meatballs with rice in a pressure cooker.

Coco Morante

Gently place the meatballs into the pot in a single layer.

Spoon a little bit of sauce over the top of each one.

Place the lid on the pressure cooker.

A person setting an Instant Pot for porcupine balls.

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double-check the pressure regulator is set to the Sealing position.

(For stovetop pressure cookers, cook at high pressure for 12 minutes.)

Total time from the time you seal the pressure cooker to the finished dish is about 25 minutes.

Overhead view of the release valve on an Instant Pot for instant pot meat balls.

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(For stovetop pressure cookers, perform a quick pressure release.)

Porcupine balls in an instant pot.

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