Lunch / Dinner
Greek Meatballs
Greek food is perfect dining for any season or weather. Here’s one way to get the big, bright flavors of Greece right at home. All the “big players” of Greek cooking unite — lemon, feta cheese, olives, and tomatoes. But they’re combined here in a slightly different way than they might be back in Greece.
Don’t be afraid of this ingredient list. It might look a little longer than you’re used to, but nothing on it is too exotic. In fact, if you want to “upgrade” the meatballs a bit, feel free to substitute ground lamb — or, if you want to make them a little kinder to the waistline, ground turkey — for the ground chuck.
In spite of the ingredient list, this meal can be on the table in a flash — and in just one pan! Sauté the meatballs first to brown them, then make the tomato sauce, add the meatballs back to the pan, and simmer briefly.
Ingredients
FOR THE DRESSING, COMBINE:
FOR THE MEATBALLS, COMBINE:
HEAT:
ADD:
Test Kitchen Tip
Fresh tomatoes make for the best-tasting and freshest sauce, but canned whole tomatoes are a fine substitute if you’re in a rush.
Instructions
For the dressing, combine ¼ cup feta, yogurt, lemon juice, ½ tsp. salt, and black pepper; cover and chill until ready to use.
For the meatballs, combine bread crumbs, ¼ cup feta, parsley, scallions, oregano, 1 tsp. salt, and egg. Gently mix in chuck and shape mixture into 2-inch balls.
Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high. Add meatballs and brown on all sides, 5 minutes; remove from pan and keep warm.
Add garlic and pepper flakes to pan; sauté 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and cook 5 minutes. Season tomato mixture with salt and pepper, then purée in a food processor and return to pan. Add olives, return meatballs to pan, and simmer until cooked through, 8–10 minutes.
Serve meatballs and sauce over Lemon Couscous, top with feta dressing, and garnish with cucumber and zest.
An ice cream scoop is the perfect size for meatballs. Finish forming them by rolling in your hands.
Simmering the meatballs in the sauce keeps them moist and allows them to absorb the sauce’s flavor.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per 3 meatballs with sauce
Calories: 467
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 33%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 132mg 44%
Sodium 1443mg 60%
Carbs 36g 12%
Fiber 6g 24%
Protein 34g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.