Greek Pasta With Meatballs

Submitted by DailyInspiration

"Recipe is from Cooking Light Magazine, Nov. 2009. Unlike traditional spaghetti, this recipe uses orzo pasta , ground lamb and feta cheese."

 

• Ready In: 38mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 473.18 ml orzo pasta, cooked
• 78.78 ml dry breadcrumbs
• 2.46 ml dried oregano
• 1.23 ml salt
• 1.23 ml ground cinnamon
• 1.23 ml fresh ground black pepper
• 453.59 g lean ground lamb
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 29.58 ml fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
• 2 large egg whites
• 7.39 ml olive oil
• 473.18 ml marinara sauce (bottled, store bought)
• 177.44 ml feta cheese, crumbled

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cook orzo pasta according to package directions; drain. Keep warm.
3. Combine breacrumbs and next 6 ingredients (through garlic) in a medium bowl; stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons parsley. Add egg whites, stirring mixture until just combined. Shape mixture into 12 (1-inch) meatballs; cover and chill meatballs 5 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs to pan; cook 8 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Drain well; wipe pan clean with paper towels. Return meatballs to pan. Spoon marinara sauce over meatballs; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 11 minutes or until meatballs are done. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley. Serve over orzo.

Reviews

[Artandkitchen]

This is a great way to make the family happy!<br/>I had to prepare this in advance, for this reason I preapred the meatballs as described, then I mixed the drained orzo with the marinara sauce, added 1/2 cup of water and poured in the (big!) baking mold over the meatballs. I topped this with the crumbled feta and sent in the oven again until the feta was browned.<br/>My family enjoyed this lukewarm (lukewarm food is almost the standard in Greece) as they were at home.<br/>They loved this very much and loved this surprise!<br/>Thanks a lot for this posting!