Greek-Inspired Meatball Bowls
Delicious Greek-Inspired Meatball Bowls with flavorful meatballs, fresh veggies, and creamy yogurt sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Chill Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 servings
Calories 550 kcal
Meatballs
- ¾ cup panko
- 3 small scallions, thinly sliced about ½ cup, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
- 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped about 1 ½ tablespoons
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 ⅓ cups plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt divided
- ¼ cup chopped fresh dill plus 1 tablespoon, divided, plus more for garnish
- 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper divided
- 1 pound 85/15 lean ground beef
Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
- 4 Persian cucumbers divided
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil divided
Orzo and Toppings
- 1 small red onion
- 1 ½ cups uncooked orzo
- 3 cups chicken stock
- Lemon wedges, shredded romaine lettuce hearts, crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, halved cherry tomatoes for serving
Preparation of Meatballs
Stir together panko, scallions, mint, garlic, egg, ⅓ cup yogurt, ¼ cup dill, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Let stand 10 minutes.
Add beef to panko mixture and stir together until just combined. Shape beef mixture into 20 (about 1 ¾-inch) meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each). Arrange meatballs evenly spaced apart on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Chill for 20 minutes.
Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Grate 2 cucumbers on the largest holes of a box grater into a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze cucumbers over a sink to remove excess water; place cucumbers in a small bowl. Add lemon zest and juice, 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and remaining 1 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon dill, and ¼ teaspoon pepper; stir to combine, adding 2 to 3 teaspoons water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency. Refrigerate yogurt sauce until ready to use. Cut remaining 2 cucumbers into half-moons; set aside.
Cooking Process
Preheat oven to broil with rack 6 inches from heat source. Halve onion and finely chop 1 half. Thinly slice remaining onion half; set aside. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan over medium. Add finely chopped onion half and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add orzo; cook, stirring constantly, until orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to low; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente, 9 to 10 minutes.
While orzo cooks, broil meatballs until browned on both sides, 16 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time.
Serving
Divide orzo evenly among 4 bowls; top evenly with meatballs, reserved cucumber slices, desired amount of sliced onion half, and yogurt sauce. Squeeze 1 small lemon wedge over each serving. Top with romaine lettuce, feta, olives, and tomatoes.
Serving: 1bowlCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 30gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg
Keyword bowls, Dinner, easy, Greek-Inspired, Healthy, meatballs