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Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs)

Soutzoukakia are football shaped Greek meatballs baked in savory tomato sauce spiced with cinnamon, clove and herbs. Perfect entree or mezze!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 480 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Greek

Ingredients

Tomato Sauce
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground clove
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 8 mint leaves chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
Meatballs
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (See Note 1)
  • 1/2 red onion grated (See Note 2)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground clove
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 8 mint leaves chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
Serving
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup mint leaves chopped

Instructions

Tomato Sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add all tomato sauce ingredients except fresh mint, parsley, bay leaf and olive oil to a blender and purée until smooth.
  2. Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Pour in blended tomato sauce and the fresh mint, parsley and bay leaf.
  3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Add 1 cup of water, stirring to make sure the bottom does not scorch, and cook another 10 minutes. Sauce will reduce and thicken.
Meatballs
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Grate remaining red onion half and add to a large bowl with the ground beef or lamb. Add remaining meatball ingredients and mix well by hand. Refrigerate to firm up, 15 minutes (optional).
  3. Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of meat mixture into wet hands and shape into football shaped meatballs. You should have between 12-16 meatballs.
  4. Place in a greased baking dish and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Top with tomato sauce and bake another 10 minutes. Top with feta cheese, chopped mint and serve.

Notes

  • Feel free to use lamb as a substitution for the ground beef.
  • Juice from onion and grated onion all go in the mix.

Nutrition Information

Calories 480kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 119mg (40%) Sodium 1089mg (45%) Potassium 1176mg (34%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 1888IU (38%) Vitamin C 36mg (40%) Calcium 221mg (22%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 480

% Daily Value*

Calories 480kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 119mg 40%
Sodium 1089mg 45%
Potassium 1176mg 25%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 1888IU 38%
Vitamin C 36mg 40%
Calcium 221mg 22%
Iron 7mg 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.