Inspired by Mediterranean Cuisine

Inspired by Mediterranean Cuisine

Recently, I stumbled upon the delicious Mediterranean meatball bowl, packed with roasted veggies and turkey meat, and I can't get enough of it! Each meatball is juicy and flavorful, complemented by sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, a dollop of rich hummus, and tangy pickled red onions. I was hooked from the very first bite!

An Easy Dinner Solution for Busy Nights

As a huge fan of CAVA, I recreated the flavors of this dish right in my kitchen in a quick and easy way. These meatball bowls are not only loaded with flavor but also simple to prepare with sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli, along with fresh turkey meatballs and a generous scoop of creamy hummus. The pickled red onions add a delightful touch that makes the dish even more appetizing.

Why is This Dish So Amazing?

To be honest, I was craving CAVA, so I decided to whip up my dream turkey meatball bowl at home. This dish captures everything I love about CAVA without having to go out. After several rounds of experimentation, I've made this dish multiple times and never tire of it.

It's perfect for meal prep: you can make it in advance for easy lunches throughout the week. I've included meal prep instructions below.

Protein-Packed and Fiber-Rich

This Mediterranean meatball bowl is loaded with 33.5 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber. With three types of veggies, it's not just tasty but also good for your health. It's designed based on CAVA’s customizable format, making it easy to adjust with your favorite ingredients.

Budget-friendly: This dish is more economical than ordering takeout, yet just as delicious!

Essential Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you’ll need for this easy Mediterranean turkey meatball dish. Check the recipe card below for specific measurements!

• Veggies: Cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes
• Seasonings: Olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper
• Binder: Panko breadcrumbs and one egg to hold everything together
• Liquid: Chicken broth or water to keep the meatballs moist
• Herbs: Fresh parsley mixed into the meatballs and dill for garnish
• Spices: Fennel seed, sweet paprika, garlic powder
• Turkey: Opt for 93% lean ground turkey for a healthier option
• Hummus: You can buy hummus to save time; I love Sabra’s spicy hummus or sweet pepper hummus for a milder choice
• Feta: Crumble some feta on top for added creaminess and saltiness
• Lemon: Cut lemon wedges to serve alongside
• Pickled red onions: Thinly sliced red onions soaked in wine vinegar, water, and kosher salt for at least 10 minutes

How to Make Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs

While the meatballs and veggies are roasting in the oven, prepare the pickled red onions. Check the recipe below for detailed instructions!

Roasting sweet potatoes: Toss sweet potatoes with oil, salt, and pepper, and roast for 10 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

Preparing cauliflower and broccoli: Mix them with oil, salt, and pepper, and roast alongside the sweet potatoes.

Making the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix panko, broth, egg, parsley, spices, and remaining salt. Gently fold in the ground turkey. Shape into 12 meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Roasting the veggies: Move the sweet potatoes to one side and add the other veggies to the baking sheet, keeping space between them. Roast the meatballs and veggies for 20 to 25 minutes. Once the veggies are tender, let the meatballs cook until the tops are browned.

Preparing pickled red onions: Combine the four ingredients in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.

Assembling the meatball bowl: Divide the meatballs and roasted veggies into 4 bowls. Top with pickled red onions, feta, hummus, dill, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Variations

You can swap out the veggies for carrots, bell peppers, beets, or squash, or even turn it into a salad with arugula, spinach, or other greens. If you're not a fan of sweet potatoes, feel free to add grains like couscous, rice, or quinoa.

Meat substitutions: Replace turkey with chicken, beef, or lean ground bison. Or go vegetarian with falafel, lentils, or canned chickpeas.

For the panko: You can use regular unseasoned bread or gluten-free panko. For herbs: Dry parsley works in a pinch, or you can substitute with oregano, thyme, or rosemary.

If you don't have dill, you can use green onions or add more parsley. You could also experiment with other spices, like swapping garlic powder for onion powder or using smoked paprika instead of sweet. A little cumin or chili powder would be fantastic as well.

Finally, if you're not keen on hummus, consider trying tzatziki or harissa for an extra flavor kick.

Storage & Meal Prep

All ingredients will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Here's how to pack it for lunch:

Store turkey meatballs, veggies, and dill in an airtight glass container, squeezing lemon juice on top. Keep feta, pickled red onions, and hummus in a small container or a larger one. If you don’t mind reheating cold ingredients, you can pack everything into one container.

When reheating, microwave the meatballs and veggies for about a minute, then add the toppings.

Freezing meatballs: Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for quick freezing. After that, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator the day before or reheat frozen meatballs until heated through.

Other Mediterranean Bowl Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re looking for more meal prep ideas, check out these five delicious Mediterranean recipes for inspiration for your next meal!

• Mediterranean meatball bowl with couscous
• Greek chicken meal prep
• Greek tofu bowl
• Chicken tzatziki bowl
• Greek cottage cheese bowl

This Mediterranean meatball bowl features turkey, roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, creamy hummus, and pickled red onions. It’s a protein and fiber-packed dish, perfect for meal prepping.

Nutritional information: 489.5 calories, 33.5g protein, 37g carbs, 24.5g fat, 7.5g fiber.