Porcupine Meatballs with Green Bean Casserole
Porcupine Meatballs with Green Bean Casserole is a classic American comfort food dish featuring ground beef and rice meatballs baked in a savory tomato sauce alongside a creamy green bean casserole. The 'porcupine' name comes from the rice grains poking out of the meatballs like quills. It's a popular mid-century American home-cooked meal, often served together for a hearty, all-in-one dinner.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a balanced meal providing a good mix of protein from the beef, carbohydrates from the rice and casserole, and fats from the cream sauce and meat. A typical serving offers a solid amount of protein, iron, and B vitamins, with a calorie range of approximately 450-550 kcal.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 500 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbs | 38 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 890 mg |
| Iron | 4.2 mg |
| Potassium | 480 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.8 mcg |
| Zinc | 5.5 mg |
| Selenium | 18 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
| Calcium | 110 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The dish is a fascinating example of mid-20th century American 'convenience cooking,' combining two separate, popular recipes into one meal. The green bean casserole itself was invented in 1955 by a Campbell's Soup employee, making it a true icon of processed-food era ingenuity.
