If you're looking for a delicious, foolproof, healthy beef meatball recipe then these Greek Beef Meatballs with Feta are for you! These gluten free, Mediterranean-inspired meatballs are big on flavor with a short ingredient list, including lean ground beef, egg, zucchini squash, feta cheese, oat flour, fresh herbs, and seasonings. They're cheesy, tender, super flavorful, and rich in nutrition!
Cheesy Mediterranean Meatballs with Killer Flavor
These baked Greek Beef Meatballs with Feta aren't your typical run of the mill meatballs. They are so so tender and flavorful, and the addition of tangy feta cheese and fresh herbs gives these savory beef meatballs a Mediterranean flare.
Not only do these Greek meatballs have killer flavor and texture, but they also contain nutrient dense ingredients including zucchini, oats, and lean beef.
Most traditional meatball recipes call for breadcrumbs to keep them from drying out, but these beef meatballs call for fiber rich oat flour, a flour made from ground old fashioned oats, in its place. They also have hidden veggies, and you'd never know it by the taste! Shredded zucchini adds moisture as well as nutrition to these savory meatballs. Lastly, these bad boys contain lean ground beef (93/17) which is super flavorful and contains a wealth of beneficial nutrients.
For more ways to incorporate veggies into recipes and snacks, check out my post 5 Simple Ways to Increase Your Vegetable Intake.
Is Beef Good for You?
Red meat, particularly beef, has come under some major scrutiny over the past couple of years. But is there any truth behind the claims?
First of all, lean beef is nutrient dense. Beef is rich in a variety of important and beneficial nutrients including protein, vitamins B6 and B12, zinc, selenium, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin, iron, and choline. It also contains more iron and zinc per 3 oz serving than white meats like chicken and turkey.
On the other hand, there are many cuts of beef and ground beef options that are high in saturated fat. Excessive saturated fat intake may impact your risk for developing certain diseases including heart disease and high cholesterol.
So to answer the original question, "is beef good for you?," my answer is YES, beef is good for you, but it's best to choose lean cuts of beef most of the time. Rather than avoiding red meat altogether, make the informed choice and opt for lean beef to get the nutrition benefits without increasing your risk of disease.
Serving Suggestions
These cheesy, tender, and super flavorful meatballs are the perfect addition to any Mediterranean spread. Some of my favorite dishes to pair with these Greek Beef Meatballs with Feta include:
If you have any leftovers, and that's a big "if", stuff your favorite whole wheat pita with 1-2 tbsp. hummus, 2-3 of these cheesy meatballs, a handful of spring mix, and a few spoonfuls of chopped tomatoes and cucumbers for a delicious, handheld meal!
These beef meatballs would also be delicious with my Copycat True Food Charred Cauliflower!
What’s in This Recipe?
Old fashioned oats* – contains fiber to promote heart health and digestive health as well as energizing carbohydrates
Beef – contains protein, easily absorbable iron,
Eggs – contains protein, choline, antioxidants, and fat soluble vitamins
Zucchini – contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and carotenoids
Seasonings – garlic powder, salt, and black pepper
Fresh herbs – parsley and dill
Feta cheese – a traditionally fermented soft cheese made with goat's milk or sheep's milk
Notes: This recipe can easily be made gluten free*, just be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
Greek Beef Meatballs with Feta
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 20-24 meatballs
Ingredients:
1/2 cup old fashioned oats*
10 oz lean ground beef
1 large egg
1/2 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed dry
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Black pepper to taste
1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400oF. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the oats to a food processor. Pulse until ground into a flour.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the beef, egg, zucchini, oats, and seasonings (it's best to do this with your hands).
Add the fresh herbs and feta to the meatball mixture. Mix using your hands until dispersed.
Roll the meatball mixture into balls and place on the lined baking sheet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145oF.
Serve immediately. Store any extras in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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