Greek Meatball Bowl Recipe

Introduction

This Greek Meatball Bowl is a flavorful and satisfying meal that combines tender, spiced meatballs with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with Mediterranean goodness.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 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
• Lemon wedges for serving

Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, and egg. Mix until well combined.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Step 4: Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil and bake for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
5. Step 5: While the meatballs bake, prepare the tzatziki sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir until well combined and set aside.
6. Step 6: In serving bowls, layer the cooked quinoa or rice, then add chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cooked meatballs, feta cheese, and fresh parsley.
7. Step 7: Drizzle with the tzatziki sauce and serve with lemon wedges.

Tips & Variations

• For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of lamb or beef.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika to the meat mixture for an extra depth of flavor.
• Swap quinoa with couscous or bulgur wheat for different grain textures.
• Serve with pita bread on the side for a more filling meal.
• Make the tzatziki sauce a day ahead to let the flavors meld together beautifully.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the meatballs, grains, and vegetables separate from the tzatziki sauce to maintain freshness. Reheat the meatballs and grains gently in the oven or microwave, then add fresh toppings and sauce before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought tzatziki sauce instead of making my own?

Yes, store-bought tzatziki works well and saves time. Just look for a good quality brand with fresh ingredients for the best taste.

Can I bake the meatballs in advance and refrigerate?

Absolutely. You can bake the meatballs ahead, refrigerate them for up to 2 days, and reheat before assembling the bowls. This makes for a quick assembly meal when you’re short on time.

Greek Meatball Bowl Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 59 reviews

This Greek Meatball Bowl features tender, flavorful lamb or beef meatballs baked to perfection and served over a bed of quinoa or rice. Topped with fresh vegetables, crumbled feta, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, this vibrant dish delivers classic Mediterranean flavors in a wholesome, easy-to-make bowl meal.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Bowl Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 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
• Lemon wedges for serving

Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the meatballs cook evenly and don’t stick.
2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb or beef with breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and egg. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into small, approximately 1-inch diameter meatballs, and place them on the prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced.
4. Bake the Meatballs: Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil, then bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
5. Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir well to blend all flavors and set aside.
6. Assemble the Bowls: In serving bowls, start with a base of cooked quinoa or rice. Top with chopped cucumber, cherry tomato halves, sliced red onion, baked meatballs, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh parsley.
7. Serve: Drizzle the assembled bowls with the tzatziki sauce and add lemon wedges on the side for an extra zesty flavor boost. Serve immediately.

Notes

• You can substitute beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
• If breadcrumbs are not available, crushed crackers or oats can be used as a binder.
• To reduce sodium, adjust the added salt accordingly or omit it if using salted feta.
• Meatballs can be made ahead and reheated for convenience.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit them entirely.
• Leftover tzatziki sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Greek meatball bowl, lamb meatballs, baked meatballs, tzatziki sauce, Mediterranean bowl, healthy bowls, quinoa bowl, Greek recipe