Mediterranean Diet Classic Homemade Meatballs
Elevate your weeknight dinners with these Mediterranean Diet Classic Homemade Meatballs, a flavorful twist on a comforting favorite. Crafted with a blend of lean ground beef and lamb, these tender meatballs are infused with aromatic herbs like fresh parsley and mint, along with warm spices such as cumin and cinnamon for a distinctive Mediterranean flair. Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs provide the perfect texture, while a rich, homemade tomato sauce ties it all together. Quick to prepare in under an hour, these meatballs are ideal for serving over rice, couscous, or as part of a vibrant mezze platter. Packed with protein and Mediterranean-inspired flavor, this wholesome recipe will become a family favorite for healthy eating with delicious results.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Lean ground beef
- 250 grams Ground lamb
- 1 large Egg
- 60 grams Breadcrumbs
- 30 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large Garlic cloves, minced
- 30 grams Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 10 grams Fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 400 grams Tomato sauce
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and lamb, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped mint, salt, black pepper, cumin, and cinnamon. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly using your hands to ensure even distribution of spices.
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get approximately 24 meatballs.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Brown the meatballs on all sides, which should take about 5 minutes per batch. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
After all meatballs are browned, pour the tomato sauce into the skillet. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
Return all the meatballs to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, turning the meatballs occasionally until they are fully cooked and the sauce has slightly thickened.
Serve warm. These meatballs are perfect as part of a mezze platter or served over a bed of rice or with a side of couscous.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2341 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 139.8 g | 179% | |
| Saturated Fat | 49.7 g | 249% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 799 mg | 266% | |
| Sodium | 5769 mg | 251% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 69.4 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.4 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.2 g | ||
| Protein | 197.3 g | 395% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.6 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 614 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 25.7 mg | 143% | |
| Potassium | 1322 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
