Intermediate-Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Middle Eastern Herbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

Tender lamb meatballs seasoned with warm spices and fresh herbs, cooked in a light tomato sauce for a hearty, aromatic dish. This Middle Eastern recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground lamb, onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1 finely chopped medium onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 1 large beaten egg, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 20 small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Serve warm with rice or flatbread, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.