This slow cooker 5-ingredient Amish porcupine meatball recipe is the kind of no-fuss, hearty family dinner that quietly becomes “the one everyone asks for.” The name “porcupine” comes from the way the uncooked rice swells and sticks out of the meatballs as they cook, mimicking little quills. Versions of this dish have circulated through Amish and Midwestern church cookbooks for decades because it uses pantry staples, stretches a pound or two of ground beef into a generous meal, and lets the slow cooker do all the work. Here we mix uncooked rice directly into the raw ground beef, add three savory supporting ingredients, and tuck everything into the slow cooker for an easy, comforting supper.
Serve these Amish porcupine meatballs right in their savory tomato-onion gravy over creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or simple steamed white rice for a double-comfort effect. A crisp green side salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a plate of steamed green beans or peas balances the richness nicely. Warm dinner rolls or a crusty loaf of bread are perfect for soaking up every bit of sauce, and if you like, a spoonful of tangy coleslaw on the side keeps the whole plate feeling bright and homey.
Slow Cooker Amish Porcupine Meatballs
Servings: 6
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