Description
A flavorful and fresh Greek Meatball Rice Bowl featuring tender, herb-infused beef meatballs baked to perfection, served over fluffy rice and topped with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes and cool, tangy homemade tzatziki sauce. This wholesome dish combines Mediterranean spices with creamy yogurt sauce for a delightful meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup water or milk
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 small egg
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (or grated with microplane)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped (plus more for garnish if desired)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Several pinches sea salt or kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Rice
- 1 cup rice, cooked to package instructions
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Persian cucumber, diced (if using regular cucumber, peeled first)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (use a microplane)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the center for even heat distribution.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the water or milk with bread crumbs. Add the finely diced yellow onion, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, chopped fresh mint, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, then incorporate the ground beef until the mixture is uniform but do not overwork to keep meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Using clean hands, shape the mixture into 9 to 10 evenly sized meatballs.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Pour olive oil into an oven-safe pan or rimmed cookie sheet. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the surface—cast iron is ideal for achieving a caramelized crust on the meatballs.
- Arrange Meatballs and Add Butter: Place the meatballs on the oiled pan with some space between each. Melt the butter and drizzle it evenly over the meatballs. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the meatballs for roasting.
- Bake Meatballs and Tomatoes: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-27 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and nicely browned.
- Cook Rice: While the meatballs bake, prepare rice according to package instructions until fluffy and tender.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, diced Persian cucumber, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside to let flavors meld.
- Assemble Bowls: Distribute cooked rice into three bowls. Top with warm meatballs and roasted cherry tomatoes. Carefully scrape up any browned butter and pan drippings, pouring this flavorful sauce over the meatballs and rice.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional fresh mint leaves or lemon wedges if desired. Serve with tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling over the meatballs. Enjoy this vibrant and delicious Greek-inspired meal!
Notes
- If using regular cucumber instead of Persian, peel it to avoid bitterness and excess moisture.
- Cast iron pans work best for roasting meatballs to get a nice caramelized bottom crust.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a more traditional Greek flavor.
- Leftover tzatziki can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for a milder or spicier meatball.
- Serve with lemon wedges for extra brightness if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
