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Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe

Today’s Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe is delightful spring time meal! Our lamb meatballs with mint sauce is a lovely pairing. Keep reading for tips on how to cook lamb. 

Why we love Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe

I’m so happy that spring time has made it’s way around to us again! I love all the spring flowers and having warmer sunny days is always a lovely feeling after a long winter!  

This lamb dish is a fresh take on Easter dinner that I think you’ll find quite festive. 

How to Purchase Ground Lamb

  • I love lamb… I especially enjoy it in the spring time.
  • I found ground lamb at the Whole Foods Market meat counter–I had to ask for it to be ground. They were happy to do it for me.
  • It may be more readily available in more stores with the Easter celebrations happening this weekend.
  • If you can’t find it ground don’t be afraid to ask your butcher if can prepare it this way for you. 

Lamb Meatballs with Mint Tomato Sauce and Quinoa is delicious spring time meal! www.cookingwithruthie.com

How to work with Lamb

It’s really important that you don’t over cook your lamb…

  • If you’d prefer to reduce the gamey flavor of lamb then simply give it a milk bath in the fridge by soaking it in cow’s milk 4-12 hours before cooking. It will draw out some of the robust flavor leaving a more gentle flavor.
  • Naturally lamb has a robust flavor–it pairs well with strong earthy spices like oregano, basil, sage, and mint.   
  • Serving any variety of lamb with fresh lemon wedges adds a lovely pop of flavor. 
  • The National Lamb Counsel recommends lamb is cooked to medium. (160F/65C)  
  • Braising (slow cooking) is recommended for tougher cuts of meat; neck, shoulder, or belly. 
  • Ground lamb should be cooked up to 160 degrees F however there’s a hold over cook time which means you want to stop applying heat at about 155 degrees F.
  • The heat that is already in the pan will continue to cook the meat up to 160 degrees. Basically, pull the pan off the heat once you hit 155 temperature in the center of the meatballs.  
  • Then you’ll have perfectly cooked lamb! Mmmmmmm hmm. 🙂 

Lamb Meatballs with Mint Tomato Sauce and Quinoa is delicious spring time meal! www.cookingwithruthie.com

Ingredients in Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe

Lamb Meatball Recipe:

  • ground lamb
  • egg
  • day-old white bread 
  • onion
  • fresh squeeze lemon juice
  • fresh mint
  • sea salt
  • pepper

Lamb Meatballs with Mint Tomato Sauce and Quinoa is delicious spring time meal! www.cookingwithruthie.com

How to make Lamb Meatballs with Mint Tomato Sauce and Quinoa 

Lamb Meatball Recipe:

  • Combine lamb, egg, bread, onion, lemon juice, mint, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
  • Roll into 2 inch balls; set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add oil, heat to oil, add lamb meatballs and brown on all sides.
  • Remove from skillet; hold to the side.

Mint Tomato Sauce:

  • In same skillet add onions and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, add half of white wine, and cook stirring 1 minute more.
  • Add garlic; cook 1 minute while stirring.
  • Add remaining wine; stirring and pulling up bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add tomatoes; reducing heat to medium low.
  • Add worcestershire, balsamic, tomato paste, 3 tablespoons mint, salt, pepper, and sugar; stir to combine.
  • Add lamb meatballs back to sauce, cover and cook 8-9 minutes or until center temperature reaches 155 degrees F. (hold over cooking will finish the temperature to 160 F for serving.)
  • Remove skillet from heat, add lemon juice, remaining mint, and parsley; gently stirring to incorporate.

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Yield: 6

Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe

Lamb Meatballs with Mint Tomato Sauce and Quinoa is delicious spring time meal! www.cookingwithruthie.com

Today's Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe is delightful spring time meal!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • Lamb Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1 egg
  • 2 slices day-old white bread torn into very small pieces
  • 1 small onions, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeeze lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons mint, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • Mint Tomato Sauce:
  • 1 cup onion, medium diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 5 tablespoons mint, thinly sliced
  • 2-3 tablespoons parsley, rough chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 servings cooked quinoa

Instructions

  1. Lamb Meatballs:
  2. Combine lamb, egg, bread, onion, lemon juice, mint, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
  3. Roll into 2 inch balls; set aside.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add oil, heat to oil, add lamb meatballs and brown on all sides.
  5. Remove from skillet; hold to the side.
  6. Mint Tomato Sauce:
  7. In same skillet add onions and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, add half of white wine, and cook stirring 1 minute more.
  8. Add garlic; cook 1 minute while stirring.
  9. Add remaining wine; stirring and pulling up bits from the bottom of the pan.
  10. Add tomatoes; reducing heat to medium low.
  11. Add worcestershire, balsamic, tomato paste, 3 tablespoons mint, salt, pepper, and sugar; stir to combine.
  12. Add lamb meatballs back to sauce, cover and cook 8-9 minutes or until center temperature reaches 155 degrees F. (hold over cooking will finish the temperature to 160 F for serving.)
  13. Remove skillet from heat, add lemon juice, remaining mint, and parsley; gently stirring to incorporate.
  14. Serve over quinoa with additional mint and parsley to garnish.
  15. Enjoy your Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 542Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 602mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 5gSugar: 18gProtein: 30g

More Mediterranean Recipes 

Lamb Meatballs, Quinoa, & Mint Tomato Sauce Recipe is lovely way to celebrate spring with your family! 

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Thanks for sharing in the CWR blog-love!

Love Always,

Ruthie & Madeliene 

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