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OnlineCook

April 29, 2025

Jazz up moist homemade meatballs, seasoned with lemon and fresh dill, with store-bought tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, and orzo and you’ve got a home-run one-bowl dinner. Even better: We tell you how to customize the bowls for picky and more adventurous eaters. The recipe is a Yummly original created by Ashley Strickland Freeman.

20 Ingredients
EASY
Pictures
Mediterranean Meatball and Orzo Bowls
Mediterranean Meatball and Orzo Bowls cover
From the Cook
1/2

Mediterranean Meatball and Orzo Bowls

Ingredients

Servings
Milk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

1
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Make the meatballs: In a medium bowl, gently stir together the ground turkey, panko, egg, garlic, lemon zest, dill for meatballs, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Shape mixture into 12 equal meatballs, each a mounded 2 tablespoons.
2
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Begin heating a large pot of water.
3
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Heat the olive oil for meatballs in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10 minutes (cut to check). Set aside and keep warm.
4
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While the meatballs brown, cook the orzo in boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, transfer to a bowl, and stir in the olive oil for orzo. Remove some orzo for the children’s plates. Add the lemon juice and dill for orzo to the remaining orzo, and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5
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For the children’s plates, place the plain orzo, meatballs, and desired vegetables (from the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onion) on their plates. Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce. For the adults' plates, divide the seasoned orzo evenly between serving bowls. Top with tzatziki and meatballs. Toss together the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and onion and serve with orzo and meatballs.

Smart Nutrition

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

  • Breadcrumb Magic 🥣
    Soak panko breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes before mixing with meat to create ultra-tender, juicy meatballs that won't dry out during cooking.
  • Flavor Layering Technique 🧄
    Toast ground cumin in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding to the meat mixture to intensify its nutty, aromatic qualities and elevate the overall flavor profile.
  • Meatball Uniformity Hack 🔪
    Use a small ice cream scoop or wet hands to create perfectly uniform meatballs that cook evenly and look professionally prepared.
  • Orzo Pro Tip 🍝
    Rinse orzo under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect al dente texture for your Mediterranean bowl.
  • Tzatziki Enhancement 🥒
    Stir a small amount of fresh lemon zest and chopped dill into store-bought tzatziki to instantly elevate its flavor and make it taste homemade.

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