Description
Succulent Greek meatballs nestled in a hearty orzo skillet bring Mediterranean flavors to life. Herbs, feta, and zesty tomato sauce combine for a satisfying meal that transports diners straight to Greece.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) ground turkey or chicken
- 1 egg
- 2 oz (56 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
- Extra feta cheese for garnish
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup fresh leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsps grated onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3 ½ tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, diced
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, chopped
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Gently combine ground meat with garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper, ensuring thorough and even mixing without overworking the mixture.
- Meatball Formation: Roll meat mixture into uniform spheres about 1.5 inches in diameter, lightly lubricating hands with olive oil to prevent adherence.
- Searing Meatballs: Preheat cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle with olive oil, and strategically place meatballs to develop a rich, golden-brown crust, rotating every 2-3 minutes until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Orzo Foundation: In the same skillet, toast orzo grains with additional olive oil, introducing minced garlic to enhance aromatic complexity, then deglaze with chicken broth, roasted red peppers, and lemon juice.
- Flavor Infusion: Reduce heat and simmer orzo for 8-9 minutes, stirring intermittently until liquid is absorbed and pasta reaches al dente texture, then incorporate kalamata olives, oregano, and parsley to amplify Mediterranean character.
- Final Assembly: Nestle browned meatballs atop the orzo mixture, crown with crumbled feta cheese, and garnish with fresh herbs, creating a visually appealing and flavor-rich presentation.
Notes
- Meat Mixing Mastery: Gently blend ingredients to avoid tough, dense meatballs and ensure even seasoning distribution.
- Meatball Sizing Precision: Maintain consistent 1.5-inch diameter for uniform cooking and attractive presentation.
- Golden Brown Secret: Use medium-high heat and rotate meatballs every 2-3 minutes to achieve perfect exterior caramelization.
- Orzo Toasting Technique: Stir dry orzo continuously to develop rich, nutty flavor before adding liquid ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg