Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Tomato-Cumin Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

Juicy lamb meatballs seasoned with primary warm spices simmered in a fragrant tomato and cumin sauce, served with flatbread or rice. This Middle Eastern recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ground lamb, breadcrumbs, egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup water

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb with 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large beaten egg, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 18 equal meatballs, about 1 1/2-inch diameter. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides for 5-6 minutes, then remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup water, stirring to combine.
4. Step 4: Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve warm with flatbread or rice.