Imagine a mouthwatering dish that combines the rich, aromatic flavors of zaatar-spiced meatballs with fluffy quinoa, all prepared in a single skillet with minimal cleanup. This One Pot Zaatar Meatballs and Quinoa recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero, delivering a perfect blend of Middle Eastern cuisine and convenient cooking that will have your family begging for seconds. With just 45 minutes from start to finish, you'll create a restaurant-worthy meal that's both nutritious and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons zaatar spice
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef or lamb, breadcrumbs, egg, and 1 tablespoon of zaatar spice. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1-
- 5 inches in diameter. Aim to create about 12-16 meatballs depending on size preference.
- Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. No additional oil is needed if using a non-stick surface.
- Gently place the meatballs in the skillet and brown them on all sides, rotating carefully to ensure even cooking. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Add quinoa and chicken broth to the skillet with the browned meatballs. Sprinkle the remaining zaatar spice over the mixture.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter halved cherry tomatoes over the top of the dish.
- Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot directly from the skillet.
Tips
- Meat Selection: For the most tender meatballs, choose ground meat with a slightly higher fat content (80/20 blend) to ensure juiciness.
- Zaatar Spice Tip: If you can't find pre-made zaatar, you can create a quick blend using dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and a pinch of salt.
- Meatball Technique: Wet your hands slightly when forming meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking and help create smoother, more uniform shapes.
- Browning Matters: Don't rush the browning process. Properly caramelized meatballs develop deeper flavor and a beautiful exterior.
- Quinoa Perfection: Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove any bitter coating and ensure a fluffy, light texture.
- Tomato Timing: Add cherry tomatoes in the last few minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy and preserve their fresh flavor.
- Resting is Key: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld and the quinoa absorb any remaining liquid.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
