Prepare to transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of Greece with these mouthwatering Greek Meatballs that will make your dinner guests swoon! Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned beef meatballs nestled in a vibrant, creamy roasted red pepper sauce that's bursting with Mediterranean flavors. In just 40 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make. Whether you're craving a quick weeknight meal or planning to wow your friends at a dinner party, these Greek Meatballs are about to become your new culinary obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 jar roasted red peppers
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, crumbled feta cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using clean hands, shape the meat mixture into uniform meatballs approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. You should be able to create about 12-14 meatballs.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly spray or brush with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Carefully place the meatballs in the skillet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, rotating gently to achieve an even golden-brown exterior.
- While meatballs are cooking, prepare the roasted red pepper sauce. Drain the jar of roasted red peppers and place them in a blender or food processor.
- Add marinara sauce to the blender with the roasted red peppers. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a vibrant red sauce.
- Once meatballs are fully cooked with an internal temperature of 160°F, transfer them to the blended sauce. Gently coat each meatball in the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Pair with rice, pasta, or warm pita bread.
Tips
- Use your hands to mix and shape meatballs for the most even texture - cold hands work best!
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking to ensure each meatball gets a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Check the internal temperature of meatballs reaches 160°F for food safety.
- For extra flavor, toast your breadcrumbs lightly before mixing into the meat.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
- Make extra sauce - it's delicious for dipping bread or drizzling over side dishes.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or mint can add a bright, fresh finish to the dish.
- Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 120mg
