This hearty and delicious meatball recipe is easy to make, and the perfect choice for hungry active kids. Topped with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese, this meal is packed with protein, flavour and sure to satisfy.
INGREDIENTS FOR MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS RECIPE
- Italian Sausage mince: Italian sausage mince can be find in speciality food stores or butchers. Or easily substitute with meat from Italian sausage. See instructions in notes.
- Brown onion: onion gives a subtle sweetness and depth of flavour
- Garlic: garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavour.
- Breadcrumbs: breadcrumbs help to hold the meatballs together.
- Parsley: parsley adds a bright flavour and freshness, that compliments the other ingredients.
- Oregano: fresh oregano gives the meatballs a bold, earthy flavour, that pairs well with the tomato sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: parmesan adds a nutty, salty flavour.
- Eggs: eggs helps bind the meatballs and adds moisture to the mixture.
- Salt and pepper: salt and pepper enhance the flavour of all the other ingredients
- Olive oil: olive oil is used to cook meatballs in and adds fruity savoury flavour, depending on the type and intensity of the olive oil used.
- Crushed tomatoes: crushed tomatoes form the base of the sauce and add a bright, tangy flavour to the dish.
- Chicken stock: chicken stock adds savoury flavour to the sauce.
- Couscous: couscous is a staple food in many North African countries, such as Morocco. Couscous has become popular in many other countries, including Italy, where it is often used in Mediterranean-style dishes.
MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS RECIPE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, you can substitute ground beef, lamb, pork or a combination of ground meats for the Italian sausage mince. However this will change the flavour of the meatballs. Adding seasonings such as fennel, paprika and garlic to the ground meat, will achieve a similar flavour.
Yes, you can use a different type of cheese, such as pecorino romano, instead of Parmesan. However, this will also change the flavour of the dish.
Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for up to 3 months. To do this, simply prepare the meatballs as directed in the recipe, then arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a resealable freezer bag and store them in the freezer until ready to use. Defrost overnight in a fridge, it is not recommended to defrost the meatballs at room temperature.
Yes, you can use canned tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes if that is what you have on hand. However, this may change the texture of the sauce.
Yes, you can use a different type of herb, such as fresh basil or thyme, instead of the oregano if you prefer. However, this will change the flavor of the dish.
Mediterranean Meatballs with Parmesan and Couscous
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A hearty and delicious meal that's easy to make, these meatballs are the perfect choice. Made with fresh oregano, Parmesan cheese, and couscous, this recipe is packed with flavour and sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
- 700g Italian sausage mince (Lamb or Beef)
- 1 Brown onion, coarsely grated
- 2 Cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Parsley leaves, chopped
- 2 tbs Oregano leaves, chopped
- 100g Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 Eggs, lightly whisked
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbs Olive oil
- 2 cans Crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup Chicken stock
- 300g Couscous
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180 fan-forced
- Combine mince, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, half or oregano, half of parmesan cheese, eggs and seasonings in a bowl. Roll 2 tbs amount of mixture into balls.
- Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan and cook the meatballs for 5 minutes or until just browned. Pour over the tomatoes, stock and remaining oregano. Cover with ovenproof lid or foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a further 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Meanwhile cook the couscous as per packet directions
- Serve the meatballs and sauce with the couscous. Sprinkle over the parmesan cheese and parsley.
Notes
- Meatballs: there is no shame in using store-bought meatballs, turning this recipe, into the world easiest meatball recipe!
- Italian sausage mince: If you are unable to find Italian sausage mince, you can easily substitute it with meat from Italian sausage. Simply remove the sausage casings and use the sausage meat in place of the mince. To do this, follow these instructions:
- Choose the type of Italian sausage you prefer, such as sweet or spicy.
- Using a sharp knife, cut along the length of the sausage casing, being careful not to cut into the meat.
- Gently peel away the casing from the sausage meat, being careful not to break up the meat too much.
- Discard the casings and use the sausage meat in place of the Italian sausage mince in the recipe.
- Tomato base sauce: to add some extra magic to this meatball recipe, replace the the canned crushed tomatoes with your favourite homemade or store-bought pasta sauce.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Meat
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 638g
- Calories: 900
- Protein: 61.3g
