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Looking for a quick and easy SOS dinner idea? These Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta are the perfect solution! With store-bought meatballs, bell peppers, zucchini, harissa, and whipped feta all in one bowl, this dish is both delicious and convenient. YUMMY!
This recipe is a fan favorite from our Fall 2022 SOS Series! View the full series.
Get ready for a flavor explosion.
This dish features store-bought ingredients like hummus, olives, and pita bread, topped with meatballs coated in a flavorful harissa, lemon, and olive oil paste. Roasted peppers and zucchini add depth, while a tangy whipped feta brings a creamy element to every bite.
While it may sound gourmet, most of the components can be store-bought, leaving you with just two tasks: roasting a sheet pan of meatballs and veggies, and whipping up some feta.
Everything You Need For This Bowl
Ingredients You Need To Make This Happen
Here’s what you’ll need for this shortcut-friendly recipe:
- meatballs
- harissa paste (usually found in the “global foods” section of grocery stores)
- bell peppers
- zucchini
- hummus
- pita
- feta
Assuming you have olive oil, salt, and garlic on hand, this flavorful bowl is within reach.
How To Make This Bowl Come Together
The meatballs, peppers, and zucchini are all roasted on a single pan.
While this may not be the traditional method for roasting veggies, combining them simplifies the process and still yields delicious results. Feel free to separate the zucchini onto its pan for optimal cooking if desired. Otherwise, everything-on-one-pan works just as well.
The Whipped Feta Is a Must-Make
The key step is blending feta cheese in a food processor or mini chopper until it transforms into a creamy, spreadable delight. This whipped feta adds a rich, tangy flavor to elevate every bite.
This recipe offers a burst of flavors and textures, perfect for those who enjoy bold, vibrant dishes. Packed with color, zest, saltiness, and a hint of heat from the harissa paste, this dish is sure to impress.
When serving, enjoy with pita bread, hummus, meatballs, veggies, and a dollop of whipped feta for a complete meal experience. Dive in with a fork and knife or use pita to scoop up the goodness – either way, it’s a culinary delight.
Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta: Frequently Asked Questions
Any kind! Pork, beef, chicken, turkey, or even veggie meatballs work well in this recipe. The versatility allows for pre-cooked or uncooked meatballs, making it a forgiving dish. Specific brands like ALDI’s pre-made Italian style meatballs have been successful in this recipe, especially when coated with the harissa sauce before baking.
Absolutely! Homemade meatballs, like these baked chicken ones, are a great option for customization. They can also be prepared in advance and frozen for convenience. Doubling the recipe is a smart idea for meal prep.
While it carries some heat, harissa paste is not overly spicy. It falls in the mild to medium range of spiciness. To cater to different preferences, consider leaving some meatballs unsauced for a milder option.
If harissa paste is unavailable, chili oil or sriracha can serve as alternatives. Adjust the quantities to control the level of spiciness in the dish.
Prefer To Watch Instead Of Read?
Click here to watch step-by-step stories for how to make this recipe!
Source Notes: Harissa paste is “a Tunisian hot chili pepper paste, the main ingredients of which are roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers, spices, and herbs such as garlic paste, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, and olive oil to carry the oil-soluble flavors.” (definition from Wiki!) It resembles curry paste in flavor and appearance, offering a rich, red hue. In the US, it is commonly found in well-stocked grocery stores with a diverse “global foods” section, often sold in compact jars. If you’re inclined to experiment with homemade harissa paste, here’s a recipe to try.
Keywords: harissa paste, meatballs, whipped feta