Creamy Tahini Meatballs
A few days ago, my family asked for this dish for dinner, and it hit me—this meal has become a regular on our weekly menu. It’s been a true lifesaver on those days when I have no idea what to cook. It’s quick, simple, and I usually have all the ingredients on hand, making it an ideal go-to recipe for busy weeknights. The most time-consuming part is making the meatballs, as they’re packed with all sorts of delicious flavors like fresh herbs and spices that give them a rich, savory taste. But if you’re short on time or ingredients, you can easily simplify them by just using onions, parsley, and a few key spices—they’ll still turn out fantastic (trust me, I’ve done it more than once).
The Tahini Sauce
The real star of this dish, though, is the tahini sauce. It’s thick, creamy, and so incredibly delicious that I could honestly eat it by the spoonful. When you pour that luscious sauce over the meatballs in the baking dish, letting it soak up all the flavors and juices from the meat, and then let it bubble and thicken in the oven, the result is nothing short of amazing. The sauce becomes this velvety, flavorful coating that brings everything together in the most satisfying way.
How I Serve These Tahini Meatballs
To complete the meal, I served this dish with some plain white rice, which is perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce, and a side of roasted cauliflower. The cauliflower, when dipped in the tahini sauce, is absolutely divine. I also think roasted zucchini or eggplant would pair wonderfully with this dish, as the flavors would complement the tahini beautifully. For an alternative serving option, you could try this dish with some warm pita bread and hummus. While I haven’t tried that combination yet, I’m sure it would be a delicious and satisfying pairing that everyone at the table would enjoy.
Tahini Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground beef preferably 80/20
- 2 medium onions finally chopped
- 1/2 bunch parsley finally chopped
- 4 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 4 tbsp olive oil
Tahini Sauce
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp water more as needed
- a squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200℃.
- In a small bowl mix breadcrumbs and milk to create a smooth paste. Then add to a large bowl along with Meatball ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Form the meatballs, then add them to a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes until edges start to brown.
- While the meatballs are cooking, mix all the tahini sauce ingredients and season with salt to taste.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the tahini sauce directly on top of the meatballs. Mix the sauce with the meatball juices, then place the pan back in the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the sauce is thick and creamy.
