Greek Pasta And Meatballs

• 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for sauce
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, divided OR 2 teaspoons dried dill, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, divided
• 3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
• 3/4 pound lean ground meat (i.e. beef, lamb, turkey, or chicken)
• 1 egg white
• 2/3 cup uncooked orzo
• 2 to 2 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes or great-quality jarred marinara sauce
• Crumbled feta cheese, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400u0b0. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Combine oil and onion in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook until mostly translucent, about 3 minutes. Add 1 clove minced garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir, and cook until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer onion mixture to a small bowl, and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
3. Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill), 1 tablespoon mint, breadcrumbs, and cooled onion mixture in a medium bowl. Add ground meat and egg white. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly, being careful not to squish or compact the meat too much. Roll meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs (you should end up with about 20 total). As you roll them, place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake meatballs until tops are golden brown and insides are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the kind of meat you choose.
4. While meatballs bake, cook orzo according to package directions. Heat the remaining oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add remaining garlic, and stir until fragrant and just turning golden. Add crushed tomatoes or marinara, and remaining herbs. Stir, and taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until heated through.
5. To serve, divide orzo among 4 serving bowls. Spoon 1/2 cup sauce over each serving, and top with 4 or 5 meatballs. Top with crumbled feta, or pass it at the table so everyone can add the amount they prefer.

olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, ground cumin, salt, ground black pepper, hot red pepper, fresh dill, fresh mint, breadcrumbs, ground meat, egg, orzo, tomatoes, feta cheese

Taken from food52.com/recipes/3068-greek-pasta-and-meatballs (may not work)