Mediterranean Baked Beef Meatballs

Name: Mediterranean Baked Beef Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 25 30 meatballs
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs; 1 egg; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1/4 cup minced shallots; 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper {optional}; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 3/4 cup Greek yogurt; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped); 1 cups cucumber (grated); 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Mediterranean Baked Beef Meatballs are beef meatballs mixed with the warm, rich spices of cumin, cinnamon, allspice and cayenne pepper.

Prep15 min
Cook20 min
Total35 min
Makes25 30 meatballs
Calories70

Ingredients

25 30 meatballs

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
1 egg
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/4 cup minced shallots
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper {optional}
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce:

3/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
1 cups cucumber (grated)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Method

1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2
In a large mixing bowl mix together the breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, shallots, parsley, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and olive oil.
3
Add the ground beef and use your hands to gently mix everything together. Don't over-mix the beef mixture. Form the beef mixture into 1-inch beef meatballs and put on the cookie sheet.
4
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
5
To prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dill, cucumber, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir well to combine.
6
Put in a covered container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve the meatballs with the tzatziki sauce.

Notes

These meatballs work great as an appetizer served with tzatziki sauce. You can also use the meatballs in a hummus or rice bowl. You can store these meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 day in the fridge. These also freeze great. Just make sure to let them cool completely and then you can freeze them for up to 3 months.