Greek Meatballs with Green Beans and Tomatoes (Make-Ahead Freezer Meal)

Incredible meatballs with delicious flavor! This dish was created as a make-ahead freezer meal, but can easily be made from start to finish at one time (see Notes). Bake from frozen and serve with pita and tzatziki sauce, or Greek rice if desired. You can even toss the meatballs in your favorite pasta sauce or use the meat mixture to make tasty burgers! Consider making and freezing a double batch for an easy weeknight meal or snack.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 577 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (Optional)
• ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 2 pounds ground turkey
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (Optional)
• 1 ¼ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 (6 ounce) container plain Greek yogurt (Optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried dill (Optional)
• 4 (6 inch) pita bread rounds (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Whisk together onion, feta cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, garlic, oregano, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add turkey, salt, and pepper; mix until well combined.

Step 3

Use wet hands to form mixture into twenty 1 ½- to 2-inch meatballs. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until browned and slightly firm, 10 to 12 minutes; meatballs will not be fully cooked at this point. Let meatballs cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Step 5

Combine cooled meatballs and green beans in a large, resealable freezer bag. Tightly seal the bag, allowing as much air to escape as possible. Freeze for up to one month.

Step 6

When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7

Empty frozen meatballs and beans onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Add cherry tomatoes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated 425 degree F (220 degree C) oven until veggies are tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes.

Step 9

Meanwhile, stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, and salt for tzatziki sauce.

Step 10

Serve meatballs and veggies with pita rounds and tzatziki sauce.