A Greek twist on the Italian classic, your family will love these flavor-packed gluten-free meatballs seasoned with oregano, allspice, and garlic.
I’m pretty certain my husband would eat anything in meatball form. I can’t say I blame him. There is just something about having a platter of meatballs for dinner that puts a smile on his face and I’m happy to oblige. We typically go the Italian route with Beef and Ricotta and I’m a huge fan of Vietnamese BBQ Pork Meatballs, but this time I decided to give them a Mediterranean spin with these Keftedes (Baked Greek Meatballs).
Why You’ll Love These Meatballs
- They are naturally gluten-free!
- To cut down on calories and fat, these are baked instead of pan-fried.
- Pairs great with rice or pasta, or try my Lebanese Rice Pilaf.
Ingredients
- Beef: We used ground beef this time around because it was what we had on hand, but feel free to use ground lamb, bison, or turkey.
- Tomato paste: Adds umami flavor and some moisture to the meatballs.
- Egg: Acts as a binding agent for the meatballs.
- Spices: Oregano, allspice, garlic, and fresh parsley help to flavor the meatballs.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty, salty flavor and helps keep the meatballs together- no breadcrumbs needed!
How to Make Keftedes (Baked Greek Meatballs)
Step 1. Start by adding the tomato paste, spices, parmesan cheese, and egg to a large bowl.
Step 2. Whisk it all together until evenly mixed.
Step 3. Add the ground beef and freshly chopped parsley to the bowl.
Step 4. Using your hands mix until the spice mixture is evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Step 5. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, portion the meat into balls.
Step 6. Distribute the meatballs evenly onto a prepared baking sheet, then toss in the oven at 350 for around 25 minutes.
Once all of the meatballs are cooked through, serve with your preference of rice, and enjoy your Keftedes (Baked Greek Meatballs).
Frequently Asked Questions
If your recipe calls for breadcrumbs, you can try using crushed gluten-free crackers, almond meal, or extra parmesan cheese to help keep your meatballs together.
Greek meatballs, or keftedes, get their distinct Mediterranean flavor from the herbs used, like oregano, mint, and parsley.
Like any cuisine, you’ll find dishes that are naturally gluten-free and some that aren’t. Pastas and bread will have gluten, but a lot of Mediterranean diets put an emphasis on eating lots of veggies and protein like fish, which are gluten-free.
More Mediterranean Dishes
- Mediterranean Sautéed Shrimp
- Greek Lamb Chops with Tzatziki Sauce
- Lebanese Baked Fish with Tahini Sauce
- Greek Village Salad
- Mediterranean Tuna Salad Sandwich
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Keftedes (Baked Greek Meatballs)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place ground meat in the bottom of a medium bowl and add all remaining ingredients. Use your hands and mix together ingredients until everything is fully incorporated.20 ounces ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- Using a small cookie scoop, form mixture into evenly sized meatballs and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. (Makes 28-30 total meatballs.)
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