Description
The Greek Meatball Bowl is a vibrant and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring juicy meatballs infused with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and creamy plant-based cheese (plant-based). Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a balanced, flavorful, and nourishing meal perfect for quick dinners or meal prep lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
Fresh Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup tzatziki sauce (natural) made with natural gelling agent
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Extra chopped parsley or oregano, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Mix the ground meat with finely chopped onion, garlic, fresh parsley, oregano, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Gently combine until just mixed to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form and Cook Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Prepare the Fresh Veggies: Slice cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Pit and halve the Kalamata olives. Mix these fresh ingredients in a large bowl to keep everything bright and crisp.
- Assemble the Bowl: Arrange the fresh vegetables as a base in serving bowls. Place warm meatballs on top, sprinkle generously with crumbled plant-based cheese (plant-based), and drizzle with tzatziki sauce (natural) made with a natural gelling agent.
- Final Touches: Add a drizzle of olive oil and a lemon wedge to squeeze over the bowl. Garnish with extra chopped parsley or oregano to enhance the fresh Mediterranean aroma.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley and oregano for the best flavor.
- Handle the meatball mixture gently to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
- Cook meatballs in batches to ensure even browning.
- Rest the meat mixture for 15 minutes if time allows to help flavors meld and bind.
- Fresh homemade tzatziki sauce (natural) with natural gelling agent tastes better than store-bought options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Cooking on stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx.)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Greek meatballs, Mediterranean bowl, plant-based cheese, healthy dinner, quick meal, gluten free
