Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix all ingredients together thoroughly using your hands or a spoon until evenly combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking tray.
- Drizzle olive oil over the meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the rice according to package instructions if it’s not already cooked.
- In a medium bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and Kalamata olives. Toss to combine evenly.
- Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and set them aside to rest for a few minutes.
- To assemble the bowls, start by placing a portion of cooked rice in each bowl. Top the rice with the fresh vegetable mixture.
- Add several meatballs on top of the vegetables.
- Drizzle each bowl with a generous amount of tzatziki sauce.
- Finish the bowls by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs are packed tightly to prevent them from falling apart during baking.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
- You can substitute ground turkey or lamb for the ground beef for a different flavor.
- For a lighter option, use brown rice instead of white rice.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Greek