Mediterranean Diet Classic Homemade Meatballs
Elevate your dinner table with these Mediterranean Diet Classic Homemade Meatballs—an irresistible fusion of bold spices and wholesome ingredients. Featuring a flavorful blend of lean ground beef and tender ground lamb, these meatballs are seasoned with fresh parsley, mint, and a hint of warm cumin and cinnamon for an authentic Mediterranean flair. Bound with Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and a touch of garlic, they’re browned to perfection in olive oil before being simmered in a tangy, aromatic tomato sauce. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining, and pairs beautifully with rice, couscous, or as part of a vibrant mezze platter. Adding a burst of flavor to any meal, these healthy and hearty homemade meatballs are a must-try for fans of the Mediterranean diet.
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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
Directions
Step 1
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.
Step 2
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get approximately 24 meatballs.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
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.
Step 5
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.
Step 6
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.
Step 7
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
| Serving size | (1384.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2340.8 |
| Total Fat 139.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 49.7g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 8.1g | |
| Cholesterol 799.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5769.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 69.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 8.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 13.2g | |
| Protein 197.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 63.8IU | 0% |
| Calcium 613.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 25.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1322.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories