Tender lamb meatballs with grated courgette in a rich, flavorful mint gravy – the perfect comfort food for the whole family!
This dish is a clever way to keep meatballs juicy and add hidden vegetables. Grated courgette adds moisture without needing an egg, but you can also swap it for grated carrot, finely chopped mushrooms, or cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
Mint Sauce:
- Bunch of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sweetener
Meatballs:
- 500g lean lamb mince
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 courgette (zucchini), grated
- 1.5 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Gravy:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups (480ml) beef stock
- Pinch of onion powder
- Pinch of garlic powder
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Pinch of dried rosemary
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
1. Prepare the Mint Sauce:
- Mix mint leaves, cider vinegar, and sweetener in a bowl. Cover and let infuse for ~5 hours, stirring occasionally.
2. Make the Meatballs:
- Heat a frying pan with oil spray. Sauté onion until golden, then add garlic and grated courgette for 1–2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Combine this mixture with lamb, fresh mint, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form 12 meatballs.
- Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Place meatballs on a parchment-lined tray and bake for 15 minutes to lightly brown. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Gravy:
- Spray a frying pan with oil and cook the chopped onion on medium-high until deeply caramelized.
- Stir in tomato paste, onion powder, and garlic powder until onions are coated.
- Add stock, bring to a boil, then simmer 15 minutes. Blend until smooth (or use a stick blender).
- Return to pan, stir in the mint sauce and a pinch of rosemary.
- Add meatballs. Mix cornstarch with water, then add to pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes until gravy thickens and meatballs are cooked.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Serve:
- Enjoy with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or your favorite sides.
Tips & Variations:
- Swap courgette for other vegetables if desired, but avoid using too much to keep meatballs intact.
- Use lean ground beef if lamb isn’t available, but flavor will differ.
- Beef or lamb stock works for the gravy; lamb stock will enhance the flavor.
- This recipe can be made ahead and reheated; the mint gravy keeps the meatballs juicy.