Soutzoukakia Me Patates is a comforting Greek dish featuring flavorful, spiced meatballs baked with tender potatoes in a rich tomato sauce. What makes this recipe special is the aromatic blend of spices combined with the hearty, home-cooked feel of a one-pan meal. It’s perfect for family dinners when you want something filling, cozy, and full of Mediterranean flavor.
This dish became a favorite in my home the very first time I made it. I remember the smell of the spices filling the kitchen while the meatballs and potatoes slowly baked in the oven—it instantly felt like a special meal. My husband loved how juicy the meatballs were and how the potatoes soaked up all that delicious sauce. Now, it’s one of those recipes I make when I want to bring everyone together around the table and enjoy something warm, rich, and comforting.
Why This Soutzoukakia Me Patates Recipe
- Juicy, spiced meatballs full of Mediterranean flavor
- Tender potatoes that absorb the rich tomato sauce
- A complete one-pan meal—easy and satisfying
- Made with simple ingredients but delivers deep, comforting taste
- Perfect for family dinners or meal prep
- Balanced flavors: savory, slightly tangy, and aromatic
Ingredients :
For the Meatballs:
- Ground beef (or beef & lamb mix) – 500 g / 1.1 lb
- Onion – 1 small (100 g / 0.22 lb), grated
- Garlic – 2 cloves (10 g / 0.02 lb), minced
- Bread (soaked and squeezed) – 80 g / 0.18 lb
- Egg – 1 large (50 g / 0.11 lb)
- Ground cumin – 1 teaspoon (2 g / 0.004 lb)
- Paprika – 1 teaspoon (2 g / 0.004 lb)
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
For the Potatoes & Sauce:
- Potatoes – 600 g / 1.3 lb, peeled and cut into wedges
- Crushed tomatoes – 500 g / 1.1 lb
- Tomato paste – 2 tablespoons (30 g / 0.07 lb)
- Olive oil – 3 tablespoons (45 g / 0.1 lb)
- Garlic – 2 cloves (10 g / 0.02 lb), minced
- Dried oregano – 1 teaspoon (2 g / 0.004 lb)
- Sugar – 1 teaspoon (4 g / 0.009 lb)
- Water – 250 ml (250 g / 0.55 lb)
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, garlic, soaked bread, egg, and spices. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into oval or sausage-shaped meatballs.
- In a baking dish, arrange the potato wedges evenly.
- Place the meatballs on top of the potatoes.
- In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, oregano, sugar, water, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs and potatoes.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the potatoes are tender.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes:
- You can use a mix of beef and lamb for a richer flavor
- If you want crispier potatoes, broil for a few minutes at the end
- Add a pinch of cinnamon for a more traditional Greek flavor
- This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen
- Serve with fresh bread or a simple salad for a complete meal