These Greek meatballs are great for a party appetizer or a main dish.

It comes from chef Michael Symon of thePareaGreek restaurant in New York andLola & Lolita Bistroin Cleveland.

If you don’t like spicy foods, you could skip the chili pepper.

Greek Meatballs on a blue serving plate

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Conversely, if you love spice, feel free to add another chili pepper to the mix!

Serve them with a little Greek yogurt for dipping, or even sometzatzikifor something extra special.

Just heat them in the microwave for 2 minutes on high to warm them up again.

fresh minced shallots, jalapeño, garlic in hot frying pan

Elise Bauer

you could also freeze either the cooked or uncooked meatballs.

If cooked, let the meatballs cool completely before freezing.

In either case, space the meatballs out on a parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze until solid.

greek meatball ingredients in large mixing bowl

Elise Bauer

Thaw the meatballs overnight in the fridge.

Cook uncooked meatballs following the directions in the recipe.

Cooked meatballs can be rewarmed in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Raw greek meatballs pepared on a cooking sheet

Elise Bauer

Meanwhile, crumble the lamb into a large bowl.

Sprinkle the cooled garlic mixture over the lamb.

Gently mix until just combined.

raw greek meetballs cooking in cast iron frying pan

Elise Bauer

Transfer to a plate or sheet pan.

Heat a large cast iron pan over medium to medium-high heat.

Serve warm with toothpicks or skewers with Greek yogurt for dipping.

seared greek meatballs in frying pan

Elise Bauer