Description
Baked Greek Lentil Meatballs with tzatziki are a delightful and healthy twist on traditional meatballs. These flavor-packed lentil balls are baked to perfection and paired with a refreshing tzatziki sauce, making them an ideal choice for a nutritious meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Enjoy the vibrant tastes of Greece in every bite—perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook lentils in water (about two cups per cup of lentils) for 20–25 minutes until tender. Drain and let cool.
- Sauté onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent (about 5 minutes), then add minced garlic.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, sautéed onion and garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
- For tzatziki: mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl; chill before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (120g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg