This is a recipe for Spicy Lamb Meatballs which can be served as an appetizer or a main course. Absolutely delicious with flavor, beautiful in texture, this was perfect for our wine tasting party and a wonderful appetizer for our Italian Red Wine, Amarone.

Our February Wine Time party fell on Valentine’s Day and I was very happy to be celebrating at home with good friends, an incredible selection of wine and a table full of small bites. Beats fighting crowds at a restaurant any day.
Self-appointed sommelier, Bob chose an incredible wine, an Italian Amarone. Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006. It was luscious and decadent with aromas of black licorice and blueberry and juicy round tannins.
It was perfect for a Valentine’s Day Celebration and these spicy lamb meatballs fit right into the mix of appetizers.
Bob suggested I make a spicy lamb meatball recipe that he found in Wine Spectator Magazine. As I’ve mentioned before, every recipe I’ve tried from that magazine has been impressive. These were easy, tender in texture and spiced just enough to be interesting.

More Meatball Recipes
- Mexican Meatballs with Queso Blanco
- Meatballs in BBQ Sauce
- Honey Sriracha Meatballs
- Authentic Swedish Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Spicy Lamb Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Thyme dried
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard
- 1/2 Cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 Cup Italian bread crumbs
- 3/4 Cup Milk
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add a little more milk if needed for consistency. Mix well. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, and place them on a greased baking sheet 1 inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are no longer pink in the center. Remove, and serve immediately. Makes 30 meatballs.
Notes
Nutrition
Spicy Lamb Meatballs…It’s What’s for an Appetizer.
These were not bahahahahad 😉
What a fun way to spend Valentine’s Day. Good food, good wine and good friends…way better than going to a restaurant.
Love lamb balls, wait that doesn’t sound right. I love lamb anything. Looks like a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. Again those pickles! I gotta make those too.
Sounds like an absolutely fabulous evening… and I’m loving that you always have Cheetos with your wine time 🙂
What a great party, and all that food is making my mouth water. Lamb meatballs are so so good! I love your recipe and that you added cayenne. Thanks for sharing:)
Well this post just made my mouth water – loved the wine description (tell Bob I said good job). I want to taste one of those beautiful kabobs and take a big bite of those gorgeous cupcakes. And then I’d probably stand around the Cheeto bowl. Because, hey, they’re Cheetos. 🙂
My husband grew up eating lamb but I didn’t and I don’t choose to cook it at home. I think I could try this recipe, the lamb meatballs wouldn’t be too far out of my comfort zone and they sound great! Glad you had such a nice evening with friends!
Good looking spread and the wine sounds excellent – Bob knows how to do it. You guys know how to have fun and the pups look cute with their bows.
I’m tellin’ ya, it was all the real deal. By the way, those cool tall-boy skewers for the meatballs made a nice presentation.