Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Orzo
Here, a little of the lemon-garlic vinaigrette used to season the orzo also gets stirred into yogurt for a flavorful and creamy topping.
Ingredients
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1 pound ground lamb or beef
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1 large egg, lightly beaten
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4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
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3 teaspoons finely grated garlic, divided
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½ teaspoon salt
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1 cup whole-wheat orzo
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3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
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Zest and juice of 1 lemon
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½ cup whole-milk plain yogurt
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1 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
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1 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
Description
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
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Mix lamb (or beef), egg, 2 tablespoons parsley, mint, 1 teaspoon garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Form into 12 balls and place on the prepared pan. Bake until browned and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.
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Mix oil, dill, lemon zest and lemon juice along with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 teaspoons garlic in a medium bowl. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the herb mixture to a small bowl and stir in yogurt and 1/4 cup feta.
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Add the orzo to the medium bowl and stir in the remaining 3/4 cup feta. Serve the meatballs with the orzo, yogurt sauce and cucumbers.