Mediterranean Baked Meatballs with Potatoes (Print Version)
Juicy meatballs baked with potatoes and peppers in a Mediterranean-spiced tomato sauce for a complete one-dish dinner.
# Ingredients:
→ Meatballs
01 -
1 lb ground beef or lamb or a mix
02 -
½ cup breadcrumbs
03 -
¼ cup milk
04 -
1 small onion, finely grated
05 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 egg
07 -
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
08 -
1 tsp dried oregano
09 -
1 tsp ground cumin
10 -
½ tsp paprika
11 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
12 -
2 tbsp olive oil, for searing
→ Vegetables and Sauce
13 -
2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced (about ¼ inch)
14 -
1 bell pepper, sliced (yellow or red)
15 -
2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
16 -
2 tbsp olive oil
17 -
1 tsp dried oregano
18 -
½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
19 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
20 -
Fresh parsley, for garnish
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
In a bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 2 minutes.
02 -
Add ground meat, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix gently until combined.
03 -
Shape the mixture into golf ball–sized meatballs.
04 -
Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the meatballs until browned on all sides. They don’t need to cook through.
05 -
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
06 -
In a baking dish, arrange the seared meatballs. Tuck potato slices and bell pepper between the meatballs.
07 -
In a bowl, mix tomato sauce with olive oil, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over the meatballs and potatoes.
08 -
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
09 -
Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender and the sauce is slightly reduced.
10 -
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with crusty bread, rice, or a simple side salad.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a richer flavor.
02 -
Adjust the amount of chili flakes based on your spice preference.
03 -
This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.