Healthy Makeover by request: Beef Porcupines

If you are not familiar with this dish, Beef Porcupines are meatballs with rice served in a tomato sauce.

I received a request to make this recipe healthier on my Comments, Requests, and Questions tab from my mom; full request is at the bottom*. Everyone else, it’s your turn to send me something!

I love requests to make a recipe healthier, because it is a fun challenge. This makeover was unusual because I actually only changed the cooking method, and not the ingredients. My version is delicious and saves hundreds of calories per serving (all fat calories!) vs. the original recipe.

Healthier Beef Porcupines

Serves ~4 as a main dish

1 pound ground beef

1/2c raw white rice

1/2c chopped onion

1/2 t garlic salt

1/2 t pepper

8 oz. (1 c.) tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce

8 oz (1 c.) water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl (with your hands). Shape into evenly sized meatballs; I made about 20 but feel free to do 12 like the original recipe if you like them bigger. Place meatballs on a cooling rack placed on top of a cookie sheet (this will allow the fat to drain from the meat onto the cookie sheet). Bake for 12-16 minutes, depending on the size of the meatballs, or until brown and meat is cooked.

Turn oven down to 350 degrees.

Put meatballs into an 8 or 9 inch glass baking dish. Pour tomato sauce and water on top of meatballs.  Put baking dish in oven and bake for 45 minutes; turn meatballs over after 20-25 minutes to ensure rice cooks.

* Here’s the request:

I have an old recipe I'd like to see if you can make healthier. It's called Beef Porcupines!! Mix meat, rice, onion and seasonings, and shape into 12 meatballs. Fry in 3T hot oil, turning frequently until golden brown on all sides. Pour one 8 ounce can tomato sauce and one can water over the meatballs, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.