Porcupine Meatball Subs
Porcupine Meatball Subs are a hearty American comfort food sandwich featuring meatballs made with ground beef and rice, which pokes out like quills when cooked, served in a submarine roll. They are typically smothered in a rich tomato-based sauce and often topped with melted cheese. The dish is a popular home-style meal, particularly in the Midwest and South, known for its satisfying texture and flavor.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This is a high-protein, high-carb dish, with significant fat content depending on the meat and cheese used. It provides a good source of iron, B vitamins, and calcium, with a typical serving ranging from 500 to 700 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 620 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Calcium | 250 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.8 mcg |
| Zinc | 6 mg |
| Selenium | 25 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 8 mg |
| Phosphorus | 300 mg |
Per 1 meatball sub (approx. 350 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The name 'porcupine' comes from the rice grains that protrude from the meatballs during cooking, creating a spiky appearance. Nutritionally, the addition of rice to the meat stretches the protein and adds carbohydrates, making it a more filling and balanced one-pot meal component.
