Escape to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean with these incredibly flavorful and tender beef meatballs! Forget spending hours in the kitchen; this entire dish comes together in just 30 minutes thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. Each bite is packed with savory beef, salty feta, fresh parsley, and a hint of spice, all simmered in a light and delicious tomato broth. It’s a healthy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight but impressive enough for guests. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs / 900g ground beef
• 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Spices
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp dried thyme
Instructions
1. Directions
2. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, eggs, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese. Add 1-2 tablespoons of lukewarm water, all the spices (sea salt, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme), and mix with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture.
3. Roll the mixture into uniform 1-inch meatballs and set them aside on a plate or baking sheet.
4. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped red onion, yellow bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are soft and fragrant.
5. Stir in the diced tomatoes and pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze any browned bits.
6. Carefully arrange the meatballs in the pot. Secure the lid, set the steam release handle to “Sealing,” and press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.
7. Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick pressure release by carefully moving the steam release handle to “Venting.”
8. Once the pin has dropped, open the lid. Gently transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and spoon the delicious sauce from the pot over the top. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving: Calories 383 | Total Fats 16.1g | Net Carbs: 4.3g | Protein 51.7g | Fiber: 1.4g
Pro Tips
• For extra flavor and a better texture, use the “Sauté” function to brown the meatballs on all sides before pressure cooking. Remove them from the pot before sautéing the vegetables, then add them back in at step 5.
• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture! Mix only until the are just combined. Overworking the beef can result in tough, dense meatballs.
• Serve these meatballs over fluffy couscous, orzo, or rice to soak up the savory sauce. They are also fantastic with a side of crusty bread for dipping.
• These meatballs freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
