Soutzoukakia with Roasted Potatoes in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Soutzoukakia me patates is a classic Greek dish featuring flavorful spiced meatballs baked with tender potato wedges in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting meal is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, combining aromatic herbs with simple ingredients for a satisfying experience.

Ingredients

• 340g ground beef (3/4 lb)
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 medium onion, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 large potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and drizzle olive oil in a large baking dish.
2. Step 2: Place the potato wedges in the baking dish. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper, then toss to coat evenly.
3. Step 3: Pour the tomato sauce and water over the potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes to start cooking the potatoes.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, grated onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Shape the mixture into oval meatballs (soutzoukakia) by scooping portions into your hands and forming them evenly. Set aside.
6. Step 6: Remove the baking dish from the oven and place the soutzoukakia on top of the par-cooked potatoes. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 50-60 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the meatballs are cooked through. Flip the potatoes and meatballs gently halfway through to coat them in the tomato sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture in the meatballs, soak the bread crumbs in milk before mixing.
• Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice to the meat mixture for a warmer, deeper flavor.
• Use ground lamb or a mix of beef and pork for a different taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen potato wedges instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen potato wedges can be used, but reduce the initial baking time slightly since they may cook faster.

How can I tell when the soutzoukakia are fully cooked?

The meatballs should be firm to the touch and no longer pink inside. Baking times may vary slightly, so check by cutting one open if unsure.

Soutzoukakia with Roasted Potatoes in Tomato Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 135 reviews

Soutzoukakia Me Patates is a classic Greek dish featuring flavorful cumin-spiced ground beef meatballs baked with tender potato wedges in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting oven-baked meal delivers perfectly seasoned meat paired with soft, herbed potatoes, making it a hearty and satisfying Mediterranean favorite perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatball Mixture

• 340g ground beef (3/4 lb)
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 medium onion, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Potatoes and Sauce

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 large potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle a large baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and to add flavor to the potatoes.
2. Season and bake potatoes: Place the potato wedges in the prepared baking dish. Season them with oregano, salt, and pepper, then toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Pour the tomato sauce and water over the potatoes. Place the dish in the oven and bake the potatoes for 30 minutes to begin the cooking process.
3. Prepare the meatballs (soutzoukakia): While the potatoes bake, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, fresh or dried mint, ground cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly. Shape the mixture into oval-shaped meatballs by scooping portions and forming them with your hands.
4. Add meatballs to potatoes and continue baking: After the initial 30 minutes of potato baking, carefully place the formed soutzoukakia on top of the partially cooked potatoes. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 50-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender and the meatballs are fully cooked through.
5. Flip for even cooking: Halfway through this final baking period, gently flip the potatoes and meatballs to coat them evenly in the tomato sauce and to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution. Once cooked, remove from oven and serve warm.

Notes

• Be sure to flip the potatoes and meatballs halfway to maintain moisture and flavor.
• You can substitute ground lamb for beef for a more traditional Greek flavor.
• Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
• If desired, add a pinch of chili flakes to the meat mixture for a spicy kick.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.

Keywords: Soutzoukakia, Greek Meatballs, Tomato Sauce, Baked Potatoes, Mediterranean Cuisine, Ground Beef Recipe