Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs (Ground Beef & Rice in Tomato Sauce)

These Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs are a classic comfort food recipe made with ground beef, uncooked rice, and rich tomato sauce. This easy crockpot dinner is budget-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal with minimal prep.

If you’re searching for easy slow cooker meatballs with rice, crockpot ground beef recipes, or a simple tomato sauce meatball recipe, this one checks all the boxes.

 Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80–85% lean)
• ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce

How to Make Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

1️⃣ Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly coat a 4–6 quart slow cooker with oil or nonstick spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier — an essential tip for crockpot recipes with tomato sauce.

2️⃣ Mix the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine:

• Ground beef
• Uncooked long-grain white rice
• Salt

Gently mix just until combined.
Pro Tip: Avoid overmixing to keep your meatballs tender and juicy.

 Shape the Meatballs

Roll into 1½-inch meatballs (about 18–22 total). Keeping them uniform in size ensures even cooking in the slow cooker.

 Layer in the Crockpot

Arrange the meatballs in a single snug layer at the bottom. Slight overlap is fine, but avoid stacking too high so the rice cooks evenly.

 Add the Tomato Sauce

Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the meatballs, making sure they are mostly submerged. The sauce helps cook the rice while keeping the beef moist and flavorful.

 Slow Cook to Perfection

• Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours
• Or on HIGH for 3–4 hours

The meatballs are ready when:

• The rice is tender and puffed
• The beef is fully cooked
• The sauce is thick and glossy

 Finish & Serve

Carefully remove the lid to avoid steam. Gently coat each meatball in the thickened tomato sauce. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

Serve hot with extra sauce spooned over the top.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Meatball Recipe

✔️ Budget-friendly dinner idea using pantry staples
✔️ One-pot slow cooker meal
✔️ No pre-cooking required
✔️ Perfect for meal prep
✔️ Family-friendly comfort food
✔️ Naturally hearty and filling thanks to rice inside the meatballs

Serving Ideas

Pair these slow cooker ground beef meatballs with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Steamed vegetables
• Garlic bread
• Simple green salad
• Over pasta for a heartier meal

 Expert Tips for Perfect Porcupine Meatballs

• Use 80–85% lean ground beef for best flavor and tenderness.
• Make sure meatballs are mostly covered in sauce so the rice cooks fully.
• If sauce thickens too much, add 2–3 tablespoons of water or broth near the end.
• For extra flavor, add garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning to the meat mixture.