Cava Grill Inspired Mediterranean Lamb Meatballs

Craving a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meal? This Cava Grill-inspired lamb meatball bowl is a perfect blend of savory, spiced lamb meatballs, fresh veggies, and a creamy tzatziki sauce. It’s a wholesome and satisfying dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean right to your table. It's delicious and nutritious, perfect for a quick lunch or a hearty dinner.

Health Benefits

Lamb meatballs are not only delicious but also come with several health benefits:

1. High in Protein: Lamb is an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle growth and repair.
2. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Lamb is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, zinc, and iron, which support overall health and well-being.
3. Healthy Fats: While lamb does contain fat, it's also a source of healthy fats that are important for brain function and hormone production. I always get a leaner cut of lamb to keep the fats in check.

Quick Tips to Make the Best Lamb Meatballs

To ensure your lamb meatballs turn out perfect every time, here are some quick tips:

1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spices, herbs, and high-quality ground lamb will elevate the flavor of your meatballs.
2. Don't Overmix: Mix the spices and ground lamb just until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
3. High Heat Sear: Searing the meatballs in a well-greased cast iron skillet ensures a beautiful crust and seals in the juices.
4. Rest Before Serving: Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.

Watch how to make Cava Grill Lamb Meatballs

How to make this Mediterranean Bowl?

Now, let's get to the recipe. Here's how you can make these delicious lamb meatballs and assemble a Mediterranean Rice Bowl to serve them in.

Ingredients:

• For the Lamb Meatballs:
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 tsp sambal or any chili paste like harissa
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • ¼ tsp caraway seeds
  • 2 tbsp cilantro and parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp oil
• For the Mediterranean Rice Bowl:
  • Spring mix or your choice of greens
  • Sweet corn (roasted with salt and smoked paprika)
  • Kalamata olives
  • Hummus
  • Pickled red onion
  • Feta cheese
  • Pita chips
  • Cilantro, chopped for garnish
• For the Rice:
  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• For the Tzatziki Sauce:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

1. Make the Lamb Meatballs:
   • In a large bowl, mix the ground lamb with cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, and salt.
   • Divide the mixture into small golf-sized balls.
   • In a well-greased cast iron skillet, cook the meatballs over high heat for 2-3 minutes on one side.
   • Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until deeply colored and cooked through.
   • Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
2. Prepare the Rice:
   • Add rice, water, salt, and turmeric to a pan.
   • Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is cooked through.
   • Fluff with a fork and set aside.
3. Make the Tzatziki Sauce:
   • In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
   • Mix well and set aside.
4. Assemble the Mediterranean Rice Bowl:
   • Start with a bed of spring mix or your choice of greens.
   • Add a layer of rice followed by the lamb meatballs.
   • Top with roasted sweet corn, Kalamata olives, hummus, pickled red onion, feta cheese, and pita chips.
   • Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Mediterranean Bowl with Lamb Meatballs and Veggies

Izzah Khan

Inspired by Cava’s commitment to delicious, wholesome food, this spiced lamb meatball bowl brings the essence of Mediterranean dining to your table, blending freshness and bold zesty flavor in every bite. It has good proteins, crispy veggies and filling carbs galore.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 5 people

Ingredients

  

Lamb meatballs

• 1 lb ground lamb
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1 teaspoon sambal or any chili paste like harissa
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon caraway seeds
• 2 tablespoon cilantro and parsley chopped
• 1 teaspoon oil

Mediterranean Bowl

• Spring mix or your choice of greens
• Sweet corn roasted with salt and smoked paprika
• Kalamata olives
• Hummus
• Pickled red onion
• Feta cheese
• Pita chips
• Cilantro chopped for garnish

Rice

• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber grated and squeezed to remove excess water
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

Make the Lamb Meatballs

• In a large bowl, mix the ground lamb with cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, and salt.
• Divide the mixture into small golf-sized balls.
• In a well-greased cast iron skillet, cook the meatballs over high heat for 2-3 minutes on one side.
• Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until deeply colored and cooked through.
• Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

Prepare the Rice

• Add rice, water, salt, and turmeric to a pan.
• Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is cooked through.
• Fluff with a fork and set aside.
• In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
• Mix well and set aside.

Assemble the Mediterranean Rice Bowl

• Start with a bed of spring mix or your choice of greens.
• Add a layer of rice followed by the lamb meatballs.
• Top with roasted sweet corn, Kalamata olives, hummus, pickled red onion, feta cheese, and pita chips.
• Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and garnish with chopped cilantro.