Porcupines in a pot is an Instant Pot recipe that has the flavors of porcupine meatballs (rice, tomatoes, beef and cheese). But it takes only a fraction of the time to prepare and to cook.
Porcupines in a Pot
Have you ever had porcupine meatballs before? They are meatballs that have rice cooked inside them. The rice pops out once cooked and looks like porcupine quills. The flavors are super tasty! This dinner was Greg’s favorite when he was growing up.
If you love porcupine meatballs you’ll love this easy deconstructed version. It is so easy! With only a handful of ingredients and the fact that you don’t have to form the meatballs this dinner comes together quickly.
This was a very simple meal but I loved it. I kept sneaking bites of it! It makes great leftovers and freezes nicely too. You may want to double the recipe and save half for another day.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Lean ground beef–or ground turkey
- Package of onion soup mix
- Water
- Converted rice–or long grain white rice
- Diced tomatoes–I used petite diced tomatoes. Fire roasted tomatoes would be awesome.
- Tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Shredded cheddar cheese–or colby jack, mozzarella, mexican blend, etc.
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onion soup mix. Brown for 5 minutes.
Pour in the water and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Sprinkle in the rice.
Dump in the tomatoes, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Stir. Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt. Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with tomato cucumber salad, green salad or another side of vegetables.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- What is converted/parboiled rice? Don’t confuse converted rice (or sometimes it is called parboiled rice) with pre-cooked or minute rice. Parboiled rice has been processed in its husk by soaking, steaming, and drying. As a result, all the nutrients from the husk are absorbed into the grain before it’s removed. The starch content alters in the process, making cooked parboiled rice less sticky than regular white rice. The rice kernels aren’t clumpy and glued together instead they are more separated. I found a bag of parboiled rice at Walmart next to the normal long grain white rice. Sometimes I buy it at Winco in the bulk section. I have also found it in the orange box (Ben’s brand) next to other rices.
- Other recipes you can make with converted rice are Instant Pot Sunshine Chicken and Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Casserole.
More Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Recipes…
Instant Pot Popeye’s Cajun Rice
Ground beef, green pepper and rice with Cajun seasonings. An easy copycat recipe that you can make at home in your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Chinese Beef Casserole
A classic Midwestern hot dish with ground beef, rice, creamy soup, and celery that is topped with Chow Mein noodles. Grandma used to make it in the oven and now you can make it in half the time in your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Deconstructed Casserole
Deconstructed stuffed peppers have rice, ground beef, cheese, peppers and more. You’re going to love how easy it is to enjoy “stuffed peppers” without all the work.
Barbara Walters’ Western Casserole
A delicious, easy weeknight meal with rice, ground beef, tomatoes and green peppers.
Instant Pot Ron’s Low Sodium Casserole
An easy Instant Pot ground beef taco casserole with lots of flavor and it’s low in sodium.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Porcupines in a Pot
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5-10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Porcupines in a pot is an Instant Pot recipe that has the flavors of porcupine meatballs (rice, tomatoes, beef, cheese). It takes a fraction of the time to prepare and to cook.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (1 oz) package onion soup mix
- 1 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup converted rice
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onion soup mix. Brown for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the water and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the rice. Dump in the tomatoes, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir. Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt. Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I love your recipes because they use everyday items we have in our pantry all the time. The problem with many recipes is one has to go out and buy a jar or box of one special item just to make one meal and then we rarely use the rest of it. Good cookin’!
I really like your recipes. Really quick-n-easy meals for in the weekdays! thank you.
You’re welcome! Thanks Richard 🙂
I’d like to use brown rice. Any suggestions for success?
I haven’t made it yet, but I have a very old stove top that is similar. ( hence the 5 star rating!)
Thank you!
I would pressure cook for 22 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release with the brown rice. Should work just fine!
Thank you! And by the way, that was supposed to be a very old stovetop recipe!
Looking forward to making and eating this very soon!
CROCK POT Recipies, please.
Porcupines in a Crockpot. Thanks! 😃
Hi Pat, try this porcupine meatball recipe in the slow cooker: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/day-62-porcupine-meatballs/
Can you make this recipe without an instant pot?
You may like this recipe! https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/day-62-porcupine-meatballs/
This is delicious! My husband is not a fan of rice but he really like this dish. I would make one suggestion- more diced tomatoes. Thank you for another great recipe!!!
More tomatoes = more deliciousness
Maybe a can or two of Rotel in addition to the diced tomatoes?
I like that idea!
is there a way to cook this without browning the beef ?
It won’t have as much flavor but you could just use raw meat and break it up. It will cook through during the pressure cook time.
I made this exactly as directed and it was ok, not bad but it seems to be missing something. I don’t know, maybe an onion or something.
Excited to try this recipe. Love porcupine meatballs growing up. Ours was in a soup from so no chess. Still excited to try your.
I hope you like it!
What is converted rice?
What is converted/parboiled rice? Don’t confuse converted rice (or sometimes it is called parboiled rice) with pre-cooked or minute rice. Parboiled rice has been processed in its husk by soaking, steaming, and drying. As a result, all the nutrients from the husk are absorbed into the grain before it’s removed. The starch content alters in the process, making cooked parboiled rice less sticky than regular white rice. The rice kernels aren’t clumpy and glued together instead they are more separated. I found a bag of parboiled rice at Walmart next to the normal long grain white rice. Sometimes I buy it at Winco in the bulk section. I have also found it in the orange box (Ben’s brand) next to other rices.
I would have used instant rice if you did not mention it, I do have Uncle Bens on hand. Now I wonder what am I doing with my rice.
Thanks, and we love your recipes…
Do I have to use converted rice?
you can also use long grain white rice