Baked Lamb Meatballs with Mint Pesto

Golden baked lamb meatballs with a fresh mint-basil pesto drizzle.

These baked lamb meatballs strike that perfect balance between rustic comfort and elegant entertaining. Serve them as bite-sized appetizers at your next book club night, or turn them into a full meal over fluffy jasmine rice with a side of roasted vegetables. Either way, they’ll spark conversation—and second helpings—before anyone even gets to the next chapter.

Mint practically takes over my garden each spring—it grows fast and fearless, sending runners in every direction. I’ve learned to keep it corralled in a container where it thrives without crowding the rest of the herbs. Because of that abundance, I find every excuse to use it in recipes, from tossing it into water with cucumbers to brightening up sauces like this fresh mint-basil pesto.

This recipe is part of my Book Club Pairings series — cozy, discussion-friendly meals designed to bring readers together around the table.

Baked Lamb Meatballs with Mint Pesto

Tender baked lamb meatballs drizzled with a fresh mint-basil pesto — perfect as appetizers or served over fluffy jasmine rice for an elegant, book-club-worthy meal.

Prep: 15 min   |   Cook: 25 min   |   Total: 40 min |   Serves: 6

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love.

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Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs — for gluten-free, I love Aleia’s Italian Bread Crumbs
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional; pesto already includes cheese)
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup mint pesto (see below)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil for baking

For the Mint Pesto

• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts — I prefer Diamond of California Shelled Pine Nuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 small clove garlic, minced (the pesto adds additional garlic flavor)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet—like the GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set—with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Make the pesto: In a food processor (I use the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus), combine mint, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until finely chopped, then slowly stream in olive oil until smooth and glossy. Set aside.
3. Mix the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine lamb, breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp Parmesan (if using), egg, garlic, mint pesto, salt, and pepper. Gently mix by hand until just combined—don’t overwork the meat.
4. Shape into 1-inch balls and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 18–22 minutes, turning once halfway through, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature about 160°F).
6. Serve: Drizzle with more mint pesto and garnish with chopped mint or basil. Serve warm as appetizers or over jasmine rice for a satisfying meal.

Baked lamb meatballs in a glass dish, fresh from the oven and ready to serve.

Serving Suggestion

Golden lamb meatballs served over jasmine rice with a mint pesto drizzle — simple, stunning, and perfect for book club night.

Tip: Since both the Parmesan and pesto bring salt—and the pesto adds a touch of raw garlic heat—start light on both salt and garlic in your meatball mix. You can always sprinkle a little flaky salt or add a fresh garlic note at the end for balance.

If you’re newer to cooking or want to feel more comfortable adjusting flavors as you go, this post walks through simple ways to build confidence in the kitchen.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Host This Book Club Night

These cozy hosting essentials help create a relaxed, welcoming table so the focus stays on the story and the discussion.

• Serving boards or platters for sharing
• Soup or pasta bowls for comfort-style meals
• Drinkware for wine, coffee, or iced tea

I keep the serving pieces, drinkware, and table essentials I use for book club nights all in one place → My Kitchen Essentials

Tools & Favorites

Here are a few of the kitchen staples I reach for when making these baked lamb meatballs:

• GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set – ideal for evenly baked meatballs and easy cleanup.
• Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor – small but mighty for quick pestos and dressings.
• Diamond of California Shelled Pine Nuts – my go-to for rich, nutty pesto flavor.
• Aleia’s Italian Bread Crumbs (Gluten-Free) – crisp, flavorful, and perfect for any recipe that needs texture.

You might also enjoy:

Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs with Savory Mushroom Sauce

Tender turkey meatballs in a creamy mushroom sauce — gluten-free comfort at its best.

Book Club Pairing: These flavorful lamb meatballs pair beautifully with a bold red wine and a dramatic read—think tangled secrets, a windswept setting, and characters as layered as this dish.

Browse More Book Club Pairings →

Enjoy these baked lamb meatballs with mint pesto — and your next great book.

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