Meatballs with Eggplant and Feta

Elevate your weeknight dinner with these irresistible Meatballs with Eggplant and Feta, a Mediterranean-inspired dish loaded with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. Tender roasted eggplant is blended with savory ground beef, tangy feta cheese, fresh parsley, and fragrant oregano to create perfectly juicy, well-seasoned meatballs. The eggplant adds a delicious depth while keeping the meatballs wonderfully moist, and the golden sear locks in every bit of flavor. Whether you serve them with a zesty tomato sauce, as part of a vibrant mezze platter with pita and tzatziki, or over a fresh salad, these meatballs are a versatile and satisfying dish you'll want to make again and again. Ready in under an hour, they're perfect for feeding a family or impressing guests with a Mediterranean twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 1 medium-sized eggplant
• 120 grams feta cheese
• 2 garlic cloves
• 60 grams breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise and place it cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 3

Bake the eggplant in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until tender and the flesh is soft. Let it cool slightly.

Step 4

Scoop the flesh from the roasted eggplant and finely chop it. Discard the skin.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped eggplant, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 6

Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs, roughly the size of a golf ball. You should get about 16 meatballs.

Step 7

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides and cooked through.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs warm with your favorite sauce or as part of a Mediterranean platter with pita bread, tzatziki, and salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1270.4 grams (1270.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2391

Total Fat 181.50g	233%
Saturated Fat 62.40g	312%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.70g
Cholesterol 680mg	227%
Sodium 5722mg	249%
Total Carbohydrate 84.70g	31%
Dietary Fiber 17.70g	63%
Total Sugars 21.80g
Protein 121.90g	244%

Vitamin D 73IU	365%
Calcium 771mg	59%
Iron 15mg	83%
Potassium 2553mg	54%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.4%

Protein: 19.8%

Carbs: 13.8%