Soutzoukakia Greek Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce

Transport yourself to the heart of Greece with Soutzoukakia—succulent, spice-infused meatballs nestled in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce. Made with a delightful blend of ground beef and pork, these oval-shaped meatballs are seasoned with warm notes of cumin, cinnamon, and fresh parsley, offering an irresistible Mediterranean flavor. After being lightly browned, they are simmered to perfection in a velvety sauce enhanced by red wine, bay leaf, and a touch of sugar for balance. Perfectly paired with steamed rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty bread, this comforting dish is as elegant as it is hearty. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion, Soutzoukakia Greek meatballs promise an authentic taste of Greece and an unforgettable culinary experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Ground pork
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 80 g Breadcrumbs
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 4 tbsp Olive oil (for frying)
• 3 tbsp Olive oil (for sauce)
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste
• 400 g Canned crushed tomatoes
• 250 ml Water
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 60 ml Red wine (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, cinnamon, parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until well combined and sticky. Shape the mixture into oval-shaped meatballs, about 2 inches long.

Step 3

In a skillet, heat the olive oil for frying over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches until lightly browned on all sides. Set them aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4

To make the tomato sauce, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to release its flavor. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, water, bay leaf, sugar, and red wine (if using). Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Carefully add the browned meatballs to the sauce, making sure they are mostly submerged. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the meatballs don’t stick to the bottom.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and taste the sauce, adjusting seasoning with additional salt or sugar if needed.

Step 8

Serve the Soutzoukakia hot over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1839.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3341.1

Total Fat 247.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 775.0mg	0%
Sodium 4764.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 112.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.0g	0%
Total Sugars 33.5g
Protein 174.1g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 401.5mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 3160.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.1%

Protein: 20.6%

Carbs: 13.3%