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+ servings
white bowl of meatballs and a side salad
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5 from 3 votes

Lemon Basil Greek Meatballs and Rice

Simple ground pork meatballs and rice seasoned with light and bright lemon pepper and fresh basil. Served with a tangy kalamata olive and cucumber yogurt sauce, it's a perfectly light 30 minute dinner for your family.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 4 people
Author: Sara Ayesh

Equipment

  • sheet tray
  • tin foil
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground pork can substitute beef or turkey too!
  • 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
  • 4-5 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ an onion grated or finely diced
  • olive oil
  • 2 cups greek yogurt
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • cup chopped kalamata olives
  • ½ an english cucumber finely diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 cups white rice

Instructions

  • Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with tin foil.
  • In a mixing bowl combine pork, lemon pepper, sliced basil leaves, salt, and onion. Mix well with a fork or hands.
  • Using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon or cookie scoop, scoop the meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.
  • Drizzle all of the meatballs with olive oil.
  • Bake meatballs for 15-17 minutes until internal temperature is 145 degrees.
  • While the meatballs are in the oven, in a mixing bowl combine the yogurt, chopped olives, cucumber, lemon juice, pinch of salt and pepper, and minced garlic.
  • Mix and place in the refrigerator to set.
  • Cook the white rice according to package directions.
  • When meatballs are finished serve along side the rice and the yogurt sauce!

Notes

Feel free to sub in any type of ground protein you like! I think beef, lamb, or even turkey would be delicious for these Greek meatballs with lemon and basil.