Best 6 Lamb Meatballs With Spiced Tomato Sauce Mint And Feta Recipes

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Lamb meatballs with spiced tomato sauce, mint, and feta are a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to impress your friends and family. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal, and it is easy to make. The meatballs are made with ground lamb, bread crumbs, spices, and herbs, and they are cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. The sauce is made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a variety of spices, and it is simmered until it is thick and flavorful. The meatballs and sauce are then served over rice or pasta, and they are topped with fresh mint and feta cheese.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH SPICED TOMATO SAUCE



Lamb Meatballs With Spiced Tomato Sauce image

Here is a recipe from the Los Angeles chef Suzanne Goin that plays to children as well as to the most sophisticated of palates. It is for crisp lamb meatballs cooked through in a fragrant, vaguely North African sauce of tomato sauce zipped up with orange juice and warm spices, then topped with feta and mint. Ms. Goin first served the dish at one of her Los Angeles restaurants, and put it into ''The A.O.C. Cookbook'' (2013), devoted to that restaurant's food. A version of the dish was later introduced to the menu of her children's school. It can be cooked in an hour's time, not all of it busy, and served with pita or plain pasta, bulgur or couscous.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Categories     brunch, dinner, lunch, weekday, sauces and gravies, appetizer, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 27

1 medium onion, peeled and finely diced
¼ cup heavy cream
2 egg yolks, extra-large
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch red-pepper flakes
Pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 pounds ground lamb
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup bread crumbs
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small sprig rosemary
Red-pepper flakes to taste
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch ground cinnamon
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon white sugar
¼ cup orange juice
1 3-inch strip of orange peel, pith removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons thinly sliced mint leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat broiler. In a large bowl, mix together the onion, cream, egg yolks, cinnamon, cumin, red pepper and cayenne. Put the lamb in the bowl, and season it aggressively with salt and pepper. Add the bread crumbs and parsley, and combine the mixture well. Shape the meat into balls that are a little larger than golf balls.
  • Grease a baking pan with olive oil, and put the meatballs onto it, spaced evenly. Place beneath the broiler, and cook, turning once or twice, until the meatballs are well browned, approximately 5 to 7 minutes, then set meatballs aside. Turn oven to 400.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce. Pass the tomatoes through a food mill, or whizz them quickly in a food processor. Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat for a minute, then add olive oil, rosemary and red pepper and shake to combine. Cook for another minute, then add onion, thyme, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne and bay leaf and sauté until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, orange juice and peel, along with salt and pepper.
  • Cook for 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat, until reduced by a third. Adjust seasoning.
  • Pour the tomato sauce into a large baking dish that you can put on the table. Transfer the meatballs to the sauce, putting them about ½ inch from each other. Bake for 15 or 20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the meatballs are cooked through.
  • Top with crumbled feta and scattered mint.

SPICED LAMB MEATBALLS WITH YOGURT AND HERBS



Spiced Lamb Meatballs With Yogurt and Herbs image

These spice-loaded meatballs have a Turkish inflection. The warm yogurt sauce adds tang and richness, along with a sprinkling of tart sumac powder and chopped mint. American "Greek-style" yogurt is not always tart enough, but it can be thinned with a bit of buttermilk or even lemon juice. Whisking it with cornstarch and egg produces a silky sauce. Though the ingredient list looks long, this is a simple and impressive dish to make.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, easy, meatballs, main course

Time 1h

Yield 5 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/2 pounds ground lamb, not too lean (from a cut like shoulder or breast, not leg)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
1 teaspoon toasted ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of cayenne
3 eggs
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup plain, very tart yogurt (if using Greek-style yogurt, thin it with milk and lemon juice)
1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon sumac
Crushed red-pepper flakes, to taste
Turmeric, for garnish (optional)
3 tablespoons chopped mint
2 tablespoons chopped dill
Cilantro sprigs

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, use your hands to combine lamb, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onion, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cayenne. Beat 2 of the eggs and add to meat, mixing until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours to allow the seasonings to permeate the meat.
  • Using wet hands, break off walnut-sized pieces of lamb mixture, roll into spheres and set aside on a baking sheet. You should have about 30 1-ounce meatballs.
  • Heat oven to 225 degrees. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add meatballs in one layer and brown for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. (Work in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan.) Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to blot any extra oil, then pile meatballs on a heatproof serving platter and keep warm in the oven.
  • Pour off any excess oil from skillet and turn heat to high. Add broth and bring to a simmer. In a bowl, whisk together yogurt; 1/2 teaspoon salt; remaining egg, beaten; and cornstarch. Pour yogurt mixture in a thin stream into the hot broth, whisking constantly. Turn heat down slightly and continue whisking until yogurt is heated through and slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Do not let mixture boil.
  • Pour hot yogurt sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle crumbled feta, sumac and crushed red pepper on top. Finish with pinches of turmeric, if using, and sprinkle with mint, dill and cilantro. Serve immediately with rice, orzo, pita bread or potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 481, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 599 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

LAMB MERGUEZ MEATBALLS WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE



Lamb Merguez Meatballs with Spicy Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 2h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 29

Neutral oil, for the deep-fryer
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
1/2 teaspoon sumac
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
1 cup potato flakes
1/2 cup minced Spanish onion
1/4 cup Greek yogurt or labneh
2 tablespoons harissa paste
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 large egg
Olive oil, to coat hands
Olive oil, to coat pan
1 medium onion, small dice
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons harissa paste
1 tablespoon tomato paste
One 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, blended
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt or labneh
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Zest of 1 Meyer lemon
1 cup crumbled feta
Fresh dill tops, for garnish

Steps:

  • For the merguez meatballs: Preheat a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Add the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan set over medium-low heat. Toast the spices, shaking the pan frequently, until they are fragrant and beginning to change color, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the spices to a clean plate and let cool, then add them to a spice grinder and blend. Add the blended spices to a bowl with the hot paprika, sumac and cayenne and stir to combine. In a large bowl, add the ground lamb, spice blend, potato flakes, onion, yogurt, harissa, salt, garlic and egg. Combine gently with clean hands, using care to distribute all the flavorings evenly, but try to avoid pressing down or compacting the mixture. Lightly coat your hands with olive oil, then measure out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture with an ice cream scooper and roll it into a meatball. Set aside in a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
  • Brown the meatballs in batches in the deep-fryer until they are golden brown and hold their shape, 3 to 5 minutes. The meatballs will continue to cook in the tomato sauce, so this step is to give them color and additional flavor. Remove the meatballs to a baking dish and set aside.
  • For the spicy tomato sauce: Coat the same saucepan with more olive oil and set over medium heat. Add the onions and stir with a wooden spoon to collect any browned bits caught on the surface of the skillet. Sweat until the onions are slightly softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, an additional few minutes. Add the harissa and tomato paste and toast for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the blended tomatoes and stir. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Cover the meatballs with the sauce and transfer to the oven. Roast until the meatballs are fully cooked through and caramelized from the sauce, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Add the yogurt, mint, parsley and lemon zest to a small bowl, then season with salt. Stir to combine and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Place dollops of the seasoned yogurt and top with the meatballs. Garnish the meatballs with crumbled feta and fresh dill tops.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 of 6 servings, Calories 710, Fat 56g, SaturatedFat 21g, Carbohydrate 21g, Fiber 4g, Sugar 10g, Protein 33g, Cholesterol 147mg, Sodium 1089mg

LAMB AND FETA MEATBALLS WITH TOMATO SAUCE



Lamb and Feta Meatballs With Tomato Sauce image

Lamb and feta meatballs with tomato sauce is a simple, Greek inspired, rustic dish. In this recipe the sweetness of the lamb and tomatoes is contrasted beautifully by the salty tanginess of the Greek feta and fresh mint and complemented with crunchy pine nuts. Tip - Try using the feta and meat mixture to stuff small red peppers, then roast them for 45 minutes. Or you can flatten it into burgers and cook on the barbecue - serve with fresh mixed salad leaves.

Provided by English_Rose

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed with 1/4 tsp salt
4 large tomatoes, skinned, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 lb ground lamb
1 ounce of fresh mint, leaves picked and chopped, plus extra leaves to serve
1 ounce flat leaf parsley, leaves picked and chopped
1 egg
7 ounces feta
2 ounces pine nuts, lightly toasted
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and add the garlic. When the garlic sizzles, quickly add the tomatoes and a generous grinding of pepper. Cook over a high heat for about 4 minutes, until the tomatoes collapse.
  • In a bowl, mix the lamb and herbs together. Add the egg, season, and use your hands to mix together until it forms a paste. Crumble the feta into medium-sized pieces and add half to the mixture. Form into 20 even-sized balls.
  • Heat the remaining olive oil in a large frying pan - large enough to take the meatballs in one layer - until very hot. Add all the balls at once (or cook in 2 batches) and sear on 1 side; shake the pan to turn them all at once. Fry for a total of 6 minutes on high to brown on all sides. Don't worry if some fall apart. Lower the heat to medium, add the tomato and garlic sauce and stir.
  • To serve, scatter the remaining feta over the meatballs and garnish with the lightly toasted pine nuts and extra mint leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 702.6, Fat 59.3, SaturatedFat 22, Cholesterol 182.5, Sodium 687.3, Carbohydrate 12.8, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 7.6, Protein 31.9

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH FETA, LEMON AND MINT RECIPE - (4.1/5)



Lamb Meatballs with Feta, Lemon and Mint Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by garciamoss

Number Of Ingredients 27

Meatballs:
2 pounds ground lamb
1 large egg
1 1/4 cup (about 70 grams) breadcrumbs, fresh or plain, such as Panko
1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1/2 cup (55 grams) crumbled feta cheese
3/4 teaspoon table salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes
2 small garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons (35 grams) tomato paste
Zest of half a lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce:
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
A couple glugs of red wine or white/dry vermouth (optional)
1 28-ounce (795 grams) can of crushed or pureed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Zest of half a lemon
3/4 to 1 teaspoon table salt
Pinches of red pepper flakes (to taste)
1/3 cup (about 45 grams) pitted, chopped kalamata olives
1 tablespoon thinly sliced mint leaves, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Juice of one lemon
1/4 cup (30 grams) crumbled feta, for garnish

Steps:

  • Make meatballs: In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients except oil. I like to do this with a fork. Using wet hands, form mixture into small (1 1/2 to 2-inch diameter) meatballs; I have taken to using a large (just shy of 3 tablespoon) cookie scoop for easy sizing. Brown meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and heat it through. Evenly space meatballs in pan and very carefully turn and roll them so that all sides become brown. Don't worry if they don't remain perfectly round; mine never do. Don't worry if some pieces become stuck to the pan; they will deliciously infuse the sauce in a minute. Drain meatballs on a paper towel-lined plate. [If you prefer not to fry your meatballs before cooking them in the sauce, you can cook them right in the sauce -- it will take about 10 minutes longer.] Make sauce and finish cooking meatballs: Pour out all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet and return to medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add wine or vermouth and scrape up any bits stuck to the pan. Cook until the liquid almost disappears. Add tomatoes, oregano, lemon zest, salt, pepper flakes, olives (if you're using them now), mint and parsley. Bring mixture to a simmer and return meatballs to the pan. Cover with a lid and cook at the lowest simmer for 20 to 24 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Squeeze lemon juice over meatballs and sauce. Serve: Sprinkled with additional olives, feta and herbs. We had this with orzo and a Greek salad.

LAMB MEATBALLS WITH SPICED TOMATO SAUCE, MINT, AND FETA RECIPE - (4.9/5)



Lamb Meatballs with spiced tomato sauce, mint, and feta Recipe - (4.9/5) image

Provided by Chezlamere

Number Of Ingredients 28

3/4 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 XL egg yolks
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp crushed aleppo pepper
pinch cayenne pepper
2 lbs ground lamb (or beef/pork combo)
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1 recipe spiced tomato sauce (recipe follows)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 lb feta cheese
2 tbsp sliced mint leaves
salt and pepper
Spiced tomato sauce
3 cups canned san marzano or muir glen tomatoes (or italian plum)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
3 tbsp olive oil (i use grape seed)
1 small sprig rosemary
1 chile de arbol, crumbled
1 cup diced onion
1 tsp thyme leaves
pinch ground cinnamon
pinch cayenne pepper
1 bag leaf
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 c freshly squeezed orange juice plus 3 inch strip of orange zest
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • First the sauce: pass the tomatoes through a food mill, toast the cumin seeds for a few minutes over medium heat, until they release their aroma and are lightly browned, pound them finely in a mortar. Heat a saucepan over medium high heat for 1 minute then add oil, the rosemary and chile and heat another minute. Add the onion, thyme, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne bay leaf and saute for 5-6 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the toms, sugar, juice and zest, heaping 1/2 tsp salt and some freshly ground pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes over medium low heat until reduced by one third. Taste for seasoning The meatballs: first of all, I would NEVER waste my time with lamb, preferring equal amounts freshly ground beef and pork in my kichenaid grinder. That said..... preheat oven to 400 In a large bowl mix together onions, cream, yolks, cinnamon, cumin, aleppo pepper and cayenne. Place the lamb in the bowl and season evenly with 2 1/2 tsp salt and lots of pepper. Add the breadcrumbs (this is where you can make it gluten free) and parsley. Combine the mixture well. Shape the balls into 1 1/2 oz balls, or use a cookie scoop and roll the contents after scooping out all the mixture into little piles. Pour the tomato sauce into a large oven to table baking dish Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the balls on it, spacing evenly after rolling them into balls. Turn the meatballs over during cooking. Watch the process as you don't want to overcook them as they will continue cooking in the sauce. When you suspect they are done, cut one in half and inspect for any lingering red colored uncooked meat. Once they are done remove tray from oven and warm up sauce on stovetop. Once the sauce has come to a slow boil, add the meatballs gently to the sauce coating all the meatballs, then bake in the oven for about 20 minutes I usually have a bag in the freezer of pureed leeks, or a roasted baby yam in the fridge. I have been known to add about 1/2 of pureed leek and one baby yam to the meat mixture. Meatballs are a great way to hide veg on the grandchildren. Don't be tempted to add butternut squash or any other squash, it's to squashyyyy tasting. Just the yam or/and pureed leek before serving add the crumbled feta and mint over the dish.

Tips:

  • Choose the right lamb: Use ground lamb with a fat content of at least 20% for juicy meatballs. You can also use a mixture of ground lamb and ground beef.
  • Season the lamb meatballs well: Use a combination of spices, such as cumin, coriander, paprika, and garlic powder, to flavor the meatballs.
  • Cook the meatballs thoroughly: Make sure the meatballs are cooked through before adding them to the sauce. You can cook them in a skillet over medium heat or bake them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes.
  • Use a flavorful tomato sauce: The tomato sauce is a key component of this dish, so make sure it's flavorful. Use a combination of fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, and tomato paste. You can also add spices, such as basil, oregano, and thyme, to taste.
  • Serve the meatballs with rice or pasta: This dish is traditionally served with rice or pasta. You can also serve it with a side of vegetables, such as roasted potatoes or green beans.

Conclusion:

Lamb meatballs with spiced tomato sauce are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The meatballs are juicy and flavorful, and the tomato sauce is rich and flavorful. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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