This Mediterranean Meatball Bowl is an easy, flavor-packed dinner that’s great for busy weeknights. Juicy, seasoned meatballs are served over bright lemon rice and topped with fresh vegetables and creamy sauces for a balanced meal that feels fresh and satisfying. It’s a simple way to bring bold Mediterranean flavors to your table without adding extra work, and it’s a recipe the whole family will happily dig into.
Bowls like this are my go-to when I want a meal that feels balanced but still exciting to eat. These Mediterranean meatball bowls have everything I love: bold flavors, lots of texture, and components that can be prepped ahead without sacrificing freshness!
Plus, I love how approachable it is. The meatballs bake quickly, the rice gets a bright upgrade with lemon and herbs, and the toppings are simple but so good. It’s the kind of meal you can feel really good about feeding your family, and yourself!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- It’s perfect for meal prep – Each component holds up beautifully, making this ideal for lunches or dinners all week.
- Big flavor, lighter feel – The lemon, herbs, and fresh veggies keep everything bright and not heavy!
- Customizable bowls – Everyone can build their bowl exactly how they like it, making it perfect for the whole family.
- Protein-packed and filling – Lean turkey meatballs plus rice and veggies = a meal that actually keeps you full.
Recipe Notes
This Mediterranean bowl recipe is as simple as promised! The meatballs bake in the oven while the rice cooks on the stove, and everything else is just chopping and assembling, perfect for a family-friendly dinner or meal prep situation.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Mediterranean meatball bowls to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
For the Meatballs
- Ground turkey – I like 93/7 for a balance of lean and juicy, but ground chicken works too.
- Onion – Finely diced or grated so it melts into the meatballs.
- Greek seasoning – Cavenders is great, or use a homemade Greek blend with oregano, garlic, and salt.
- Egg – Helps bind the meatballs together!
- Bread crumbs – Adds tenderness. Panko or gluten-free crumbs both work.
- Frozen spinach – Make sure it’s fully thawed and squeezed dry.
- Feta cheese – Adds saltiness and classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Olive oil – Keeps the meatballs moist while baking.
For the Rice
- Long grain rice – Jasmine or basmati work beautifully.
- Lemon juice – Fresh is best for brightness!
- Parsley – Adds freshness and color.
- Salt
To Assemble
- Greek Salad – For a Greek-inspired salad, you just need to combine cucumber, red onion and grape tomatoes.
- Romaine lettuce – As a crisp base for the bowls.
- Feta cheese – Extra for topping.
- Hummus – Use your favorite store-bought hummus.
- Tzatziki – Cool and tangy to finish! It is easiest to buy this at the store, too.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Chicken Meatball Bowls – Swap ground turkey for ground chicken.
- Low-Carb Bowls – Skip the rice and use extra romaine or cauliflower rice.
- Spicy Mediterranean Bowls – Add chili flakes or harissa to the meatballs or hummus for a bit of spice!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make the best Mediterranean Meatball Bowl.
Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Use your hands to work the mixture until everything is evenly distributed.
Form the turkey mixture into 2 inch balls. Place on a baking sheet, spaced ½ inch apart.
Bake for 15 minutes, check that internal temperature reaches 165˚F. If not, cook an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 165˚F.
Cook rice per package instructions.
Once done, stir in lemon juice, parsley, and salt.
Create the cucumber tomato salad by combining the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion in a bowl.
Fill a large meal-sized bowl with a base of half rice and half romaine. Add about 2 tablespoons of hummus, then place 3-4 meatballs on top.
Top with cucumber salad, a sprinkle of feta and a drizzle of tzatziki.
Repeat until all 4 bowls are made, or use the rest for meal prep!
Recipe Tips
- Grate the onion – This helps distribute moisture and flavor evenly through the meatballs!
- Squeeze the spinach well – This is essential! Too much moisture can make the meatballs fall apart.
- Don’t overmix the meatballs – Mix just until combined to keep the meatballs tender! Overmixed meatballs can become tough and dry.
- Sauce last – Add hummus and tzatziki right before serving for the best texture!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use microwave rice – Swap in pre-cooked microwave rice to skip the stovetop and save about 15 minutes. You can just stir in the parsley, lemon and salt after microwaving!
- Buy pre-chopped veggies – Pre-cut red onions to make the bowl assembly a bit faster!
- Use store-bought tzatziki and hummus – High-quality store-bought dips save time without sacrificing flavor.
- Bake meatballs ahead of time – Cook the meatballs in advance and reheat them when you’re ready to assemble the bowls!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Mediterranean meatball bowl recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Mix and form the meatballs.
- Freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
- Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
How to Freeze Mediterranean Meatball Bowls After Cooking
- Let meatballs cool completely.
- Store in a freezer-safe container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months, then assemble the bowls once you are ready.
What to Serve with Mediterranean Meatball Bowls
Since this protein based dinner has protein, grains, and veggies, they pair well with lighter sides!
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Mediterranean Bowl Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Mediterranean Meatball Wraps – Stuff into pita with hummus and veggies!
- Meatball Grain Bowls – Swap rice for quinoa or farro.
- Meatball Salad – Serve over greens with extra tzatziki as a salad dressing!
- Mediterranean Flatbreads – Slice meatballs and add to naan with feta.
Recipe FAQ’s
What to put in Mediterranean meatballs?
Mediterranean meatballs typically include ground meat, onion, garlic, herbs like oregano or parsley, and a binder such as egg and breadcrumbs. Ingredients like feta cheese, spinach, lemon zest, or Greek seasoning add extra flavor and keep them tender!
What goes well with Greek meatballs?
Greek meatballs pair well with lemon rice, pita bread, hummus, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes. They also work beautifully in bowls, wraps, or alongside a simple Greek salad.
What to put in meatballs to make them moist?
Moist meatballs come from adding ingredients like grated onion, egg, breadcrumbs, and a little fat such as olive oil. Avoid overmixing, as that can make meatballs dense and dry!
Can I pan sear meatballs?
Yes, meatballs can be pan seared in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Just turn them frequently and finish cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F!
More EASY Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy dinner recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Chicken Gyro Bowls
- Spinach Feta Turkey Meatballs
- Lemon Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
- Spinach and Feta Chicken
Mediterranean Meatball Bowls
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pounds ground turkey, I use 93/7 lean ground turkey
- ¼ onion, very finely diced or grated
- 1 tablespoons greek seasoning, Cavenders or homemade
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons bread crumbs
- 6 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and moisture squeezed out
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
For the Lemon Rice
- 1 cup long grain rice, (I used jasmine)
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup freshly chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
To Assemble the Bowls
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
- 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ½ cup hummus
- ¼ cup tzatziki
Instructions
To make the meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Use your hands to work the mixture until everything is evenly distributed.
- Form the turkey mixture into 2 inch balls. Place on a baking sheet, spaced ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes, check that internal temperature reaches 165˚F. If not, cook an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 165˚F.
To make the rice:
- Cook rice per package instructions.
- Once done, stir in lemon juice, parsley, and salt.
To assemble the bowls:
- Create the cucumber tomato salad by combining the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion in a bowl.
- Fill a large meal-sized bowl with a base of half rice and half romaine.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of hummus, then place 3-4 meatballs on top.
- Top with cucumber salad, a sprinkle of feta and a drizzle of tzatziki.
- Repeat until all 4 bowls are made, or use the rest for meal prep.
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