Description
Savor bold Mediterranean flavors with these juicy, herbed meatballs served over fluffy rice and finished with a swirl of tangy tzatziki sauce. A colorful, satisfying bowl that’s perfect for a nourishing lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced (optional)
- Fresh parsley or dill, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, red onion, parsley, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.
- While meatballs cook, prepare bowls with a base of cooked rice.
- Top each bowl with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, olives (if using), and warm meatballs.
- Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Swap white rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- Use store-bought tzatziki for convenience or make your own with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill.
- Great for meal prep – store components separately and assemble when ready.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: mediterranean bowl, meatball rice bowl, tzatziki, healthy lunch bowl, greek-style meal