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–+ servings

Soutzoukaki (Greek Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)

Greek-style spiced meatballs covered in a delicious tomato sauce and baked in the oven. It's a light yet hearty comforting dish traditionally served with rice but we paired ours with crisp green beans as a healthy alternative!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Greek
Servings 14 Meatballs
Calories 86 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meatballs:

  • 1 lb. lean grass fed ground beef
  • 1 small onion
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup fresh parsley
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Sauce:

  • 1 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley
  • salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • To make the meatballs start by dicing one small onion and mincing 2 cloves of garlic.
  • In a large bowl combine all of the meatball ingredients and knead together. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Start the sauce by heating olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and saute for a few minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and red wine. Season with cumin, salt and pepper and add the whole bay leaves.
  • Bring to a light boil and then reduce the heat and allow to simmer.
  • Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish and remove the meat mixture from the refrigerator.
  • Using your hands form the meatballs into about 14 egg-shaped balls.
  • Space them out evenly in the baking dish and bake for about 10 minutes to brown.
  • Remove from the oven and top the meatballs with the tomatoe sauce and return to the oven. Cook for 40 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
  • Remove from the oven and top with additional parsley if desired.
  • Serve immediately alongside your favorite vegetable, atop of cauliflower rice, brown rice or plant-based pasta.

Notes

This recipe can also be made on the stovetop using one pan. Start the cooking process by browning the meatballs and then set them aside and make the sauce using the same pan. Return the meatballs to the pan to finish cooking in the sauce. 

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 8gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 96mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 361IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Beef, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic, Greek, Meatballs, Parsley, Soutzoukakia, Tomato Sauce, tomatoes
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