These lamb meatballs are juicy, flavorful and baked till golden brown earlier than being served with a wealthy, smoky romesco sauce. Paired with buttery orzo, feta and toasted almonds, this Mediterranean-inspired dish makes a powerful however simple dinner.
Ingredient Lineup
These juicy lamb meatballs are the right pairing for smoky, wealthy romesco sauce. Whether you’re serving them as a starter or they’re the primary attraction, they’re assured to steal the present. And don’t neglect — the total printable recipe is ready for you on the backside!
- Ground Lamb – Be positive to seize the freshest high-quality lamb you will discover for the very best meatballs.
- Romesco Sauce – Spicy and barely candy, this sauce is completely magical with lamb. You could make your individual romesco sauce or seize a jar for a shortcut.
- Breadcrumbs
- Dried parsley
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sweet paprika
- Kosher salt
- Egg
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Orzo pasta
- Unsalted butter
- Ground black pepper
- Feta cheese
- Sliced almonds
How to Make Lamb Meatballs (Step-by-Step)
This dish comes collectively so shortly! Cook the pasta whereas the lamb meatballs are baking in order that every part finishes at about the identical time.
Meatballs
- Break up the lamb. Add the bottom lamb to a big mixing bowl and break it up into smaller chunks for even seasoning.
- Mix the dry components. In a separate bowl, stir collectively the breadcrumbs and seasonings for the meatballs.
- Combine the combination. Add the breadcrumb combination to the lamb, then add the overwhelmed egg. Gently combine every part collectively simply till mixed. Overmixing results in powerful meatballs!
- Shape the meatballs. Roll the combination into small, evenly sized-balls.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Arrange the meatballs within the ready dish and high them with a bit of additional virgin olive oil to assist them brown.
- Bake till golden. Pop them within the oven and cook dinner till the tops are golden brown and the meatballs are cooked by.
- Drain extra oil. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any additional grease.
Orzo
- Cook the orzo. Follow the package deal directions and cook dinner the orzo till it’s simply tender.
- Season and coat. Drain the orzo and instantly mix it with butter, black pepper, and salt whereas it’s nonetheless heat.
To Assemble
- Plate it up. Spoon a giant scoop of orzo onto a plate or bowl, then add a couple of meatballs on high.
- Add the ending touches. Top with some romesco sauce earlier than sprinkling crumbled feta and sliced almonds excessive. Serve instantly.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻🍳
- Salt – A little bit of salt in each the meatballs and the orzo makes this recipe pop. Plus, utilizing unsalted butter helps you to management the flavour of the dish.
- Seasoning – Dried herbs and seasonings add layers of taste to the lamb meatballs! Customize them by swapping in a few of your favorites.
- Sauces – Romesco sauce infuses this dish with nuttiness, sweetness, and a bit of warmth.
- Swaps – While we love lamb for this recipe, you possibly can commerce it out for beef, pork, hen, or sausage. Or mix a number of meats for a mix.
- Senses – The hearty meatballs are completely paired with the tender pasta and wealthy sauce. Plus, all of these seasonings within the meatballs and sauce are assured to make your kitchen scent heavenly!
Make It a Meal
This dish is already a winner by itself in terms of flavors and texture, however if you happen to’re trying to spherical out your meal, there are many choices! A easy facet salad with a citrus French dressing works effectively however If you need one thing heartier, strive greens like roasted tomatoes, air fried Brussels sprouts, or ricotta-topped carrots.
You may also serve these lamb meatballs with heat focaccia or do-it-yourself pita — they’re each good for absorbing the sauce! And if you wish to convey much more Mediterranean taste to the desk, add a facet of cheese-stuffed olives or garlicky tzatziki.
Recipe FAQs
Romesco sauce has a reasonably mild warmth however you possibly can customise it! Just style as you go and add a bit additional spice in order for you it.
Absolutely! You can substitute sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for an equally tasty nut-free model. The seeds present the identical richness and texture, and you might not even have the ability to inform the distinction!
Oregano is at all times an amazing herb to make use of with lamb however there are different choices, too. Rosemary enhances the meat effectively and you may experiment with mint as effectively.
More Meaty Dishes
Looking for extra hearty meals made with tender and juicy meat? We have you ever lined with these simple recipes you possibly can function starters or primary dishes.
Lamb Meatballs with Romesco Sauce Recipe
These lamb meatballs w/ romesco sauce are juicy, flavorful and baked till golden. A Mediterranean-inspired meatball recipe served with orzo.
Prevent your display from going darkish
Servings:
Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 425 levels. Prep a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to stop sticking.
In a big mixing bowl, break aside 2 kilos floor lamb into small items. Set apart.
In a small bowl, mix the ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon candy paprika and 1 teaspoon Kosher salt.
Sprinkle this mix over floor meat, adopted by frivolously overwhelmed 1 egg.
Toss the combination to mix, however don’t overwork the meat combination. Roll into 32-36 evenly sized meatballs.
Drizzle the meatballs with 3 tablespoons additional virgin olive oil.
Bake for 20 minutes or till the tops are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and utilizing a slotted spoon, place on a paper towel lined plate to empty extra fats.
Orzo:
Cook the dry 1/2 pound dry orzo pasta in keeping with the package deal instructions for advert dente. When pasta is completed, drain and instantly return to scorching saucepan.
Toss with the 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon floor black pepper and 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt.
To Assemble:
To plate, begin with a beneficiant spoon of cooked orzo, high with 4-5 lamb meatballs, a spoonful of 1 1/2 cups romesco sauce after which crumbled ½ cup Feta cheese and 4 tablespoons sliced almonds.
If you have tried this recipe, come again and tell us the way it was within the feedback or star rankings.
How to Store
These lamb meatballs will keep contemporary for 3 to 4 days within the fridge in an hermetic container.
Can I Freeze Lamb Meatballs?
Lamb meatballs might be made and frozen uncooked or cooked. If your lamb meat was beforehand frozen, I extremely suggest cooking them after which freezing. Freeze with out the sauce for as much as 3 months in an hermetic plastic container or bag.
Romesco sauce might be made and frozen for as much as 3 months as effectively. When thawed, warmth effectively after which style for seasoning. It would possibly have to be re-seasoned with salt, pepper, or a contemporary splash of sherry to revive its taste.
Calories: 560 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 45 g, Saturated Fat: 16 g, Cholesterol: 119 mg, Sodium: 1148 mg, Potassium: 573 mg, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 1153 IU, Vitamin C: 12 mg, Calcium: 143 mg, Iron: 4 mg
