Spoon Simple

Soutzoukakia

Spiced oblong meatballs in a rich cumin-scented tomato sauce. A Smyrna-born Greek favorite — aromatic, saucy, and deeply comforting.

Prep 20 min

Cook 30 min

Total 50 min

Serves 6

Dinner·Greek·Medium

Ingredients

Step 1 — Meatballs

1.5 lbs ground beef
1 onion (grated)
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried mint
1 egg
¼ cup breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper

Step 2 — Sauce

2 cups crushed tomatoes
½ cup red wine
1 tsp cumin
1 cinnamon stick
Olive oil

Instructions

1
Shape and brown
Mix meatball ingredients. Form into oval shapes. Brown in oil.
2
Simmer in sauce
Add tomatoes, wine, cumin, and cinnamon. Simmer 25 minutes.
3
Serve
Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition per serving: 420 cal · 32g protein · 12g carbs · 28g fat · 2g fiber

For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.

DinnerGreekMedium

Soutzoukakia

Name: Soutzoukakia
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef; 1 onion (grated); 2 garlic cloves; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp dried mint; 1 egg; ¼ cup breadcrumbs; Salt and pepper; 2 cups crushed tomatoes; ½ cup red wine; 1 tsp cumin; 1 cinnamon stick; Olive oil

Jump to recipe

Spiced oblong meatballs in a rich cumin-scented tomato sauce. A Smyrna-born Greek favorite — aromatic, saucy, and deeply comforting.

Be the first to rate

Servings

Why You'll Love It

Feeds a crowd
High in protein
Simple ingredients

Prep

20 min

Cook

30 min

Total

50 min

Serves

For 6 servings: 13 ingredients to shop. Check ingredients below to exclude pantry items, then review your shopping list on Instacart before adding products to your cart.

Browse all →

Hard

Pastitsio

Greek baked pasta with spiced meat sauce and thick béchamel — like lasagna's Mediterranean cousin. A Sunday dinner showstopper.

1h 30m8 servings

DinnerComfort FoodHigh Protein

Medium

Jägerschnitzel

Breaded pork cutlets smothered in a rich mushroom gravy — the hunter's schnitzel. A beloved pub classic across Germany, especially in Bavaria and the Rhineland.

40 min4 servings

DinnerComfort FoodHigh Protein

Hard

Pastitsado

Corfu's slow-braised beef stew in a rich tomato, red wine, and spice sauce served over thick pasta with kefalotyri. A Venetian-influenced Greek island classic — fork-tender beef with warm cloves and cinnamon.

2h 50m6 servings

DinnerComfort FoodHigh Protein