• Ground Meat: You’ll need 1 pound of ground beef or turkey, if you prefer a leaner option. The meat is the base of the soup and gives it that satisfying, hearty texture.
• Rice: About 1/2 cup of long-grain white rice. This is the key ingredient that gives the soup its signature “porcupine” look as it puffs up while cooking and adds a nice texture.
• Broth: You’ll need 4 cups of beef or chicken broth to create the flavorful base of the soup. If you want to enhance the flavor homemade broth works wonders, but store-bought is just fine too.
• Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes 14.5 oz will bring a bit of tangy sweetness to balance the richness of the meat. If you prefer a fresher taste, you can substitute with fresh tomatoes, diced and peeled.
• Onion: 1 medium onion chopped. This adds a savory, aromatic base to the soup, making it even more irresistible.
• Garlic: 2 cloves of garlic minced. Garlic always enhances the depth of flavor and gives your soup a nice aromatic touch.
• Carrots: 2 medium carrots diced. Not only do they add a subtle sweetness, but they also add a pop of color to the soup.
• Spices: Salt pepper, and a pinch of dried thyme or Italian seasoning to taste. These spices will help bring all the ingredients together, creating a comforting and aromatic base.
• Olive Oil: For sautéing your vegetables and meat a bit of olive oil will do the trick. It adds richness and helps the flavors meld together beautifully.

A Few Helpful Tips:

• Rice Tip: To ensure the rice cooks evenly and doesn’t become mushy be sure to use long-grain rice. This type of rice keeps its texture better in soups.
• Meat Variation: If you want to change things up try using chicken as an alternative to beef for a different flavor profile.
• Broth Tip: If you like a richer flavor feel free to use beef broth instead of chicken broth. The beef broth adds a deeper, more savory taste that’s perfect for this hearty soup.