Prep Time
20 MIN
Cook Time
35 MIN
Total Time
55 MIN
Servings
4

Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
● 1 pound ground lamb
● 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
● 1 egg, beaten
● 2 garlic cloves, minced
● 1 teaspoon ground cumin
● 1 teaspoon dried oregano
● 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
● Zest of 1 lemon
● 1/2 teaspoon salt
● 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Soup:
● 1 tablespoon olive oil
● 1 small onion, diced
● 2 garlic cloves, minced
● 1 carrot, diced
● 1 celery stalk, diced
● 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
● 1/2 cup dry orzo pasta
● 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
● Juice of 1 lemon
For the Creamy Tahini-Miso Base:
● 3 tablespoons tahini
● 1 tablespoon white miso paste
● 1/4 cup water
To Serve:
● Lemon wedges
● Fresh dill chopped
Directions
1. Make the meatballs:
In a large bowl, mix together all meatball ingredients until just combined. Roll into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1 inch). Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides (they don't need to be fully cooked). Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the aromatics:
In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Simmer the soup:
Add the broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in the orzo and return the meatballs to the pot. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the orzo is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
4. Prepare the creamy base: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, miso paste, and water until smooth.
5. Finish the soup:
Reduce the heat to low. Stir the tahini-miso mixture into the soup, followed by the chopped spinach and lemon juice. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the broth is creamy.
6. Serve:
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh dill or parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for extra brightness.
USDA recommends the following time and temperature parameters
Ground Lamb
Internal temperature of 160°F
All Other Cuts
Internal temperature of 145°F, with a 3 minute rest








