This Mediterranean Meatball and Mashed Potato Bake has a hearty and rich flavors. We prepare this baked dish with lean ground beef, whole wheat breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, parsley, oregano, thyme, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, Yukon Gold potatoes, Greek yogurt, olive oil, butter, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, and fresh parsley. This bake contains approximately 24 g of net carbs and 445 calories. We prepare this baked dish in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. This Mediterranean Meatball and Mashed Potato Bake is an excellent choice for family dinners, weekend meals, meal prep, potlucks, holiday gatherings, and comforting homemade lunches. For allowing you to prepare, we freeze the remainder for three months after chilling them for four days. You can serve this bake with Greek Salad, Roasted Zucchini, Garlic Green Beans, Whole Wheat Pita, or Tzatziki Sauce.
STATS:
- Prep Duration: 25 minutes
- Course: Main Course
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Diet: Mediterranean
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Servings: 6
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Cooking Method: Baking
- Difficulty: Easy
INGREDIENTS:
MEATBALLS:
- One lb. ground beef
- One egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
TOMATO SAUCE:
- Olive oil, one tbsp.
- One onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp basil
- ¼ tsp black pepper
MASHED POTATO TOPPING:
- Two lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes
- Olive oil, two tbsp.
- ¼ cup milk
- Butter, two tbsp.
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Half teaspoon of salt
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- Black pepper, one-fourth tsp.
TOPPING:
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- 1 tbsp parsley
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
GROUND BEEF:
- We use lean ground beef to make juicy, flavorful meatballs with a hearty texture. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, lamb, or plant-based meat.
GREEK YOGURT:
- Greek yogurt makes the mashed potatoes creamy with a slight tang. Instead, you can use sour cream or dairy-free yogurt.
YUKON GOLD POTATOES:
- These potatoes create a smooth, buttery mashed potato topping. As a substitute, you can use Russet potatoes or red potatoes.
OLIVE OIL:
- Olive oil provides authentic Mediterranean flavor and healthy fats. Alternatively, you can use avocado oil.
MOZZARELLA CHEESE:
- Mozzarella gives the casserole a creamy, melted cheese topping. You may also use Monterey Jack or provolone cheese.
FETA CHEESE:
- Feta adds a salty, tangy Mediterranean flavor to the bake. As an alternative, you can use goat cheese or Parmesan cheese.
PARSLEY:
- Fresh parsley adds color and a bright herbal flavor to the finished dish.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Warm the empty oven to 375°Fahrenheit.
- We boil the potatoes till tender, for almost eighteen minutes.
- Smash the potatoes with pepper, olive oil, salt, butter, garlic powder, Greek yogurt, and milk.
- Stir all the meatball elements and make almost eighteen meatballs.
- We cook the meatballs in the olive oil for almost six minutes.
- Slowly cook the onion for almost four minutes and then include garlic for almost a minute in a similar pan.
- Include pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, pepper, tomato paste, salt, herbs,and paprika.
- Slowly cook for almost ten minutes.
- Include the meatballs again in the sauce and cook for almost eight minutes.
- Distribute the meatballs & sauce in a dish.
- Coat uniformly with smashed potatoes.
- Garnish the surface with feta and mozzarella.
- Bake till become bubbly and golden, for almost twenty-five minutes.
- Allow to sit for almost minutes.
- Garnish with parsley, & serve.
TIPS:
- Include the zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms for additional veggies.
- Use fresh grated cheese, which melts perfectly.
- Cook the meatballs till brown and then bake for additional flavor.
- Strain the potatoes perfectly and then mash.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
FRESH SALADS:
- Greek Salad
- Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Onion Salad
- Arugula Salad
- Chickpea Salad
ROASTED VEGETABLES:
- Roasted Zucchini
- Garlic Green Beans
- Roasted Eggplant
- Lemon Broccoli
- Honey Roasted Carrots
BREAD OPTIONS:
- Whole Wheat Pita
- Herb Focaccia
- Olive Bread
- Rustic Sourdough
- Garlic Flatbread
MEDITERRANEAN SIDES:
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Creamy Hummus
- Marinated Olives
- Stuffed Grape Leaves
- Roasted Red Peppers
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put this baked dish and stocked for a four-day period.
FREEZER:
- Store this baked dish for at least 3 months.
FAQs:
Could we prepare this turkey as an alternative to beef?
- Yes, you might utilize ground turkey, as it is a light choice.
Will we prepare this baked dish earlier?
- Yes, you can assemble this casserole one day earlier and then bake.
May we include veggies?
- Yes, you can use bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, and mushrooms.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 445 kcal
Sodium: 610 mg
Net Carbs: 24 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 6 g
Fat: 23 g
Protein: 31 g
Serving Size: 1 slice
Total Carbs: 28 g