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Greek Meatballs & Lemon Orzo with Feta Cream

A delightful Mediterranean dish featuring savory meatballs, tangy lemon-infused orzo, and creamy feta, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 640

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 400 g ground meat (beef or lamb) Can substitute with ground chicken or turkey for leaner options.
  • 1 unit finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 unit egg
  • 50 g breadcrumbs
  • to taste spices (like oregano and cumin) Adjust according to taste.
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • as needed olive oil for frying
For the Orzo
  • 200 g orzo pasta Can substitute with small pasta or rice.
  • 1 unit lemon (zest and juice) Adds fresh flavor.
For the Feta Cream
  • 150 g feta cheese Use quality crumbled feta.
  • 100 g Greek yogurt
  • to taste olive oil For blending consistency.
  • pinch pepper

Method
 

Prepare the Meatballs
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, spices, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
  2. Take small portions of this mixture and shape them into meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
Cook the Meatballs
  1. Heat some olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the meatballs to the pan in a single layer and fry them for 10-12 minutes, turning them regularly until browned and cooked through.
Prepare the Orzo
  1. While the meatballs are cooking, bring a pot of chicken or vegetable broth to a boil.
  2. Add the orzo pasta and cook until all the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
Flavor the Orzo
  1. Once the orzo is cooked, stir in olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley.
Make the Feta Cream
  1. In a blender, combine the feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of pepper.
  2. Blend until you achieve a smooth cream, adding water or olive oil if it's too thick.
Serve
  1. Place a generous portion of lemon orzo on each plate, top with meatballs, and finish with a spoonful of feta cream.
  2. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for extra color and flavor.

Notes

If storing leftovers, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove. Add yogurt or water to loosen the feta cream if thickened.