Description
Lemon Thyme Meatballs with Creamy Pumpkin Orzo is a flavorful dish that brings together tender meatballs infused with zesty lemon and aromatic thyme, served over a velvety pumpkin orzo. This recipe is perfect for cozy dinners or festive gatherings, offering a comforting blend of flavors that will leave everyone craving more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground turkey or beef
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, thyme, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs until just combined.
- Form small meatballs about one inch in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- While meatballs bake, cook orzo according to package instructions; drain.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream and pumpkin puree until smooth. Gradually add Parmesan until melted; season with salt and pepper.
- Serve creamy pumpkin orzo topped with baked meatballs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 350g)
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: - For added flavor, sauté garlic before mixing into the sauce. - Substitute quinoa for orzo for a gluten-free option.