Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet Recipe

Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet is really a hearty, flavorful meal motivated because of the vibrant Mediterranean food. Juicy, spiced meatballs are paired with tender orzo, fresh herbs, and tangy feta mozzarella cheese, all prepared together in a single skillet for an simple yet impressive meal. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you are craving one thing cozy yet full of bright flavors.

Step by step Directions

Step one: Preparing the Meatballs

Mix the components: Within a huge blending dish, combine the bottom meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, cumin, sodium, and pepper. If you’re adding feta cheese to your meatballs, fold it in gently.

Form the meatballs: making use of your fingers or perhaps a tiny information, type the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You ought to get about 20-24 meatballs, with regards to the dimensions.

Cook the meatballs: temperature 1 tablespoon of coconut oil within a large skillet over medium heat. İnclude the meatballs in batches and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning periodically until these are typically browned on all sides and cooked through. Get rid of the meatballs through the skillet and set them aside.

Step two: Cooking the Orzo

Sauté the aromatics: Within the exact same skillet, put in a little more oil if required, then sauté the onion and garlic for around 2-3 minutes until smooth and fragrant.

Add orzo and seasonings: Stir into the orzo, toasting it lightly for around 2 moments. Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, oregano, sodium, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if utilizing).

Cook the orzo: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then lower the heat to reasonable. Protect and cook for 10-12 moments, stirring periodically, until the orzo is tender and a lot of of the fluid is soaked up.

Step three: Assembling the Skillet

Return the meatballs: when the orzo is cooked, gently nestle the prepared meatballs back in the skillet. Let them heat through for 2-3 minutes.

Add garnishes: get rid of the skillet from the temperature and sprinkle with fresh parsley, crumbled feta, as well as a squeeze of lemon liquid for brightness.

Serve: Provide the dish right from the skillet for a rustic presentation, or dish individual portions having an additional sprinkle of feta and parsley on the top.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Floor lamb or turkey: If you like a new necessary protein, you can easily substitute the beef with floor lamb for a more traditional Greek taste or surface turkey for the slimmer choice.

Add veggies: You can bulk up the dish with veggies like spinach, kale, or zucchini. Just sauté all of them following the onions and garlic before ıncluding the orzo.

Gluten-free alternative: replace the orzo with gluten-free spaghetti or rice if you should be avoiding gluten. Adjust the cooking time as needed.

Additional flavor: For a much deeper Mediterranean flavor, put in a few Kalamata olives or perhaps a number of sun-dried tomatoes to the orzo as it cooks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Am I Able To result in the meatballs in advance?

Yes! You’ll prepare the meatballs ahead of time and store them into the refrigerator for approximately 2 times or freeze them for as much as three months. Just defrost them before reheating and assembling the dish.

2. How do I shop leftovers?

Shop any leftovers within an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat into the microwave or from the stovetop until warmed through.

3. Can I use regular pasta instead of orzo?

Yes, you can substitute orzo with another tiny spaghetti like ditalini or acini di pepe. Adjust the cooking time and fluid appropriately.

4. What can I offer with this dish?

This Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet sets well having a Greek salad, pita bread, or tzatziki sauce for dipping.

5. Could I get this vegetarian?

You can make a vegetarian variation by omitting the meatballs and making use of vegetarian meatballs or adding additional veggies like mushrooms and eggplant for a heartier meal.

Conclusion

Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet is just a flavorful, comforting dish that’s easy to create in only one cooking pan. The combination of spiced meatballs, tender orzo, and tangy feta creates a gratifying meal that’s ideal for any night of the few days. Try this dish for a taste regarding the Mediterranean, and go ahead and customize it to your requirements!

Yield: 4

Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet Recipe

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Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet is really a hearty, flavorful meal motivated because of the vibrant Mediterranean food. Juicy, spiced meatballs are paired with tender orzo, fresh herbs, and tangy feta mozzarella cheese, all prepared together in a single skillet for an simple yet impressive meal. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you are craving one thing cozy yet full of bright flavors.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Meatballs:
• 1 pound surface meat or lamb (or even a blend)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 glass crumbled feta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp dried out oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp surface coriander
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (for cooking)
• When it comes to Orzo Skillet:
• 1 1/2 glasses orzo pasta
• 2 glasses chicken broth
• 1/2 glass diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (pitted and cut)
• 1/2 glass crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon liquid
• 1 tsp dried out oregano
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups fresh spinach (optional, for added vegetables)
• Fresh parsley and lemon wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Ready the meatballs:
   Inside a huge bowl, combine together the ground beef or lamb, breadcrumbs, feta, egg, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, coriander, parsley, salt, and pepper. Kind the mixture into tiny meatballs (about 1 inches in diameter).
2. Cook the meatballs:
   Temperature 1 tbsp of olive-oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Include the meatballs and cook, turning sometimes, for around 7-10 minutes, or until browned and prepared through. Take away the meatballs from the skillet and put them aside.
3. Cook the orzo:
   In the exact same skillet, include the orzo and toast for about 2 moments, stirring regularly. Pour into the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Blend within the diced tomatoes, olives, oregano, and a pinch of sodium. Cover and cook for 8-10 mins, or until the orzo is tender and has now soaked up a lot of the broth.
4. Include the meatballs and spinach:
   Stir the cooked meatballs back in the skillet together with the fresh spinach (if utilizing). Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through.
5. Complete the dish:
   Blend into the lemon liquid and top with crumbled feta cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges in the part.

Notes

• You can easily substitute the bottom beef or lamb with ground turkey or chicken for a less heavy option.
• Go ahead and ınclude additional vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini towards the orzo for more flavor and nutritional elements.
• This meal pairs well by way of a side of tzatziki or a Greek salad.