Greek Meatball Bowl
A delicious and satisfying meal merging vibrant flavors with wholesome ingredients, featuring tender meatballs, zesty tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 pound ground lamb or beef Choose high-quality, fresh meat for best flavor.
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Consider using day-old bread for better flavor.
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin Adjust amount to suit taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg Acts as a binder for the meatballs.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil To drizzle over meatballs before baking.
For the bowl
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice Base for the bowl.
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley For garnish.
- Lemon wedges for serving Enhances flavor.
For the tzatziki sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- to taste salt and pepper Season to preference.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground lamb or beef, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and the egg. Mix well until fully incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs (about one inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring enough space between them.
- Drizzle meatballs with olive oil.
Cooking
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.
Tzatziki Sauce Preparation
- While the meatballs bake, mix together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well blended.
- Set the tzatziki aside.
Assembly
- In serving bowls, layer your choice of cooked quinoa or rice as the base.
- Top it with chopped cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
- Place the freshly baked meatballs on top, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese, and add a generous amount of parsley.
- Drizzle the tzatziki sauce over the bowl and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
Consider serving with warm pita bread and a refreshing Greek salad. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.