One-Pan Greek Meatballs and Potatoes Recipe

This One-Pan Greek Meatballs and Potatoes recipe is the kind of meal that feels like a gift for busy home cooks. Packed with zesty flavors, aromatic herbs, and golden potatoes roasted in a tangy lemon-olive oil sauce, this dish doesn’t just fill your kitchen with mouthwatering scents—it brings everyone running to the table. The best part? Everything bakes together in one pan, saving time on both prep and cleanup, making this truly ideal for weeknight dinners. Every bite delivers savory, juicy meatballs twirled with fresh mint and parsley, nestled atop tender potatoes that soak up every drop of that luscious Greek ladolemono sauce. If you crave Mediterranean comfort food with minimal fuss but maximum flavor, this recipe absolutely hits the mark.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need—and why each ingredient matters:

• Lemon Juice & Zest: Fresh lemon juice and zest form the backbone of true Greek ladolemono sauce, bringing brightness and zing to the whole dish.
• Dijon Mustard: Offers a gentle tang and helps emulsify the sauce, giving it just the right texture.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For rich Mediterranean flavor and incredibly moist potatoes.
• Garlic Paste: Both in the sauce and the meatballs—garlic is non-negotiable for big, bold Greek flavor.
• Greek Oregano: Classic Greek herb; dried works best for that rustic, earthy taste.
• Salt & Pepper: Season generously—don’t be shy! Great flavor relies on balanced seasoning.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: These potatoes roast up with creamy centers and crispy edges, perfect for soaking up the sauce.
• Low Sodium Chicken Stock: Keeps the potatoes tender and prevents drying as they bake.
• Ground Chuck & Ground Lamb: This combo gives irresistible juiciness, robust flavor—don’t skip the lamb if you want authentic Greek character.
• Day-Old White Bread: Soaked and added to the meatballs for unbeatable tenderness.
• Onion (Grated): Fresh and pungent—grating ensures it melts into the meat for extra moisture.
• Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley & Fresh Mint: Bright herbs make the meatballs vibrant and authentic.
• Egg: Binds the meatballs together.
• Nutmeg: Just a hint adds subtle warmth and complexity—essential for that Greek meatball flavor.
• Feta Cheese (for serving): Salty, creamy, and tangy—no Greek table is complete without it.

Tip: Got day-old bread that’s too tough? That’s exactly what you want. It’ll soak up the liquids perfectly and disappear into the meatballs for light-as-air texture.

Variations

There’s room to get a little creative, whether out of necessity or curiosity:

• Different Proteins: Can’t find lamb? Use all beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken. You’ll get a leaner, lighter result, but still delicious.
• Vegan/Vegetarian: Try swapping the meat for mashed chickpeas, lentils, or a plant-based ground. Ditch the egg and add a chia seed “egg” instead. The sauce and potatoes stand beautifully on their own, too!
• Carb Swap: Sweet potatoes instead of Yukon Golds bring a touch of sweetness and a deeper flavor dimension.
• Herb Variations: Basil or dill can add different herbal notes if you want to mix things up.
• Add Veggies: Throw in chunks of bell pepper, zucchini, or red onion for an extra burst of color and nutrients.

How to Make One-Pan Greek Meatballs and Potatoes

Step 1: Whisk Up the Ladolemono Sauce

Combine lemon juice, zest, Dijon mustard, garlic paste, dried oregano, and a generous pour of olive oil with salt and pepper. Whisk until it emulsifies into a rich, fragrant sauce. Tip: You can shake this up in a jar for even less cleanup.

Step 2: Prep the Potatoes

Cube your Yukon Golds and tumble them into a roomy baking dish. Drizzle with half of the ladolemono, sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat. Pour the chicken stock around the edges—this keeps everything moist and savory. Slide the dish into a hot oven and let the potatoes get a head start roasting.

Step 3: Mix and Shape the Meatballs

While your potatoes bask in the oven, soak the day-old bread in milk (or water), then squeeze it dry and tear into pieces. In a large bowl, combine the bread with beef, lamb, grated onion, parsley, mint, garlic, beaten egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix gently—overworking will make the meatballs dense. Roll into plump 2-inch spheres.

Step 4: Marry Everything in One Pan

After the potatoes have roasted for about half an hour, arrange your meatballs right on top. Lower the oven temperature and return the dish to bake until the meatballs are browned, sizzling, and the potatoes are creamy-tender. For an extra golden crust, flip on the broiler for a couple of minutes—but watch closely!

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Drizzle with the remaining ladolemono sauce, and shower with crumbled feta. Serve any extra sauce on the side for dunking, dipping, and drizzling.

How to Serve

• Plated Family Style: Heap meatballs and potatoes onto a big platter, drizzle with extra sauce, and scatter with feta and fresh herbs for an impressive centerpiece.
• Pairings: Warm pita or crusty bread is perfect for sopping up the flavorful juices. Add a Greek salad (think tomatoes, cucumber, olives) for a refreshing contrast.
• Dips: A dollop of tzatziki or a thick Greek yogurt pairs beautifully with each bite.
• Make a Wrap: Tuck meatballs and potatoes into flatbread with salad greens and sauce for a Greek-inspired wrap or sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool leftovers before transferring to an airtight container. They keep beautifully in the fridge for up to three days.

Freezing

Meatballs freeze remarkably well! Freeze either in their sauce or plain; for best results, freeze without the potatoes (they can get mushy on thawing). Simply defrost overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat, pop everything in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use a skillet with a splash of chicken stock or water to prevent drying. The microwave also works in a pinch—just cover to retain moisture.

Tip: Revive leftovers by drizzling with any reserved ladolemono sauce or an extra squeeze of fresh lemon.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s full of vibrant flavor and truly saves the day on busy nights, this One-Pan Greek Meatballs and Potatoes recipe has you covered. It’s simple, heartwarming, and reliably impressive—perfect for sharing with family or friends. Let yourself enjoy the cooking process, feel free to swap in your favorites, and bring a little Greek sunshine to your table tonight!

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