Greek Meatball Bowl with Tzatziki, Rice & Fresh Veggies 🍽️🥒
Intro: Experience a taste of the Mediterranean with this vibrant Greek Meatball Bowl, bursting with flavor and freshness! Perfect for any night of the week! 🌟
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb (or a mix of both)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cucumber, finely grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Nutritional Information: Approx. 450 calories per serving; rich in protein, vitamins, and healthy fats.
Instructions:
1. Begin by preparing the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or lamb), breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, egg, 1 tsp oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
2. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
3. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches for about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned and cooked through. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
4. Next, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezing out excess moisture), lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, dill, and salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. If you haven't cooked the rice yet, prepare it according to package instructions. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced Kalamata olives. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and toss gently to combine.
6. Now it's time to assemble the bowls! Divide the rice and veggie mixture among serving bowls. Top with the freshly cooked meatballs and spoon a generous amount of tzatziki over them.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional olives if desired.
Time: Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes.