Porcupine Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy
Porcupine Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy is a classic American comfort food dish featuring meatballs made with ground beef and uncooked rice, which creates a spiky, 'porcupine' appearance when cooked. The meatballs are typically simmered in a rich, savory mushroom gravy made from cream of mushroom soup, broth, and onions. It's a hearty, home-style meal popular in the United States, especially in the Midwest.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein from the beef and provides a good amount of carbohydrates from the rice and gravy. A typical serving offers key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins, with a rough calorie ballpark of 400-500 kcal per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Zinc | 6.2 mg |
| Potassium | 480 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 8 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
| Selenium | 22 mcg |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Per 4 meatballs with gravy (approx. 240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The name 'porcupine' comes from the way the rice grains protrude from the meatballs as they cook, resembling quills. Nutritionally, the combination of animal protein and grain (rice) in one bite makes it a complete protein source, a practical feature of many traditional comfort foods.
