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Dinner recipe · from the recipe book

Cumin-Coriander Beef Meatballs with Herby Yogurt Pasta

Juicy, warmly spiced beef meatballs with a crisp seared crust over pasta tossed in a cool, garlicky yogurt sauce packed with mint, parsley and dill.

Cumin-Coriander Beef Meatballs with Herby Yogurt Pasta

Ingredients

  • 1 lb500 gGround beef, 90% lean
  • ⅓ cup35 gPlain dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 large50 gEggslightly beaten
  • ½ cup chopped80 gYellow onionfinely grated
  • 4 cloves12 gGarlicminced
  • 2 tsp4 gGround cumin
  • 1¾ tsp3 gGround coriander
  • 1¼ tsp3 gPaprika (sweet or smoked)
  • ½ tsp1 gGround cinnamon
  • ¾ tsp5 gSalt
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper
  • 2 tbsp30 gOlive oil
  • 11½ oz320 gPasta, dry
  • 9 oz250 gPlain Greek yogurt, nonfat
  • ½ cup chopped30 gFresh parsleyfinely chopped
  • 2½ tbsp chopped15 gFresh mintfinely chopped
  • 1 cup sprigs8 gFresh dillfinely chopped
  • 2 tbsp30 gLemon juice
  • 1½ medium300 gZucchinicut into half-moons
  • 12⅔ cups3,000 gWater

Steps

  1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot for the pasta.
  2. Make the herb sauce: in a bowl stir together the Greek yogurt, parsley, mint, dill, lemon juice, one-third of the garlic and a pinch of the salt. Set aside at room temperature.
  3. In a large bowl mix the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, the remaining two-thirds of the garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, black pepper and most of the remaining salt, saving a small pinch for the zucchini. Mix gently and roll into 20 balls.
  4. Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs, turning, for 10 to 12 minutes until browned all over and 160°F (71°C) in the center. Move to a plate.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve a few tablespoons of the cooking water, then drain.
  6. Add the remaining half of the olive oil to the skillet and cook the zucchini with the last pinch of salt for 4 to 5 minutes until tender and golden.
  7. Off the heat, toss the pasta with the zucchini and a splash of the reserved cooking water, then fold in half of the herb sauce so it stays creamy.
  8. Serve the pasta topped with the meatballs and spoon the remaining half of the herb sauce over the top.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Gluten. Some brands contain soy.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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