Mediterranean Stuffed Artichokes – A Dish You Can’t Miss!

Looking for a rich, flavorful, and super easy meal? These stuffed artichokes with meat are packed with warming spices, cooked to tender perfection, and loaded with Mediterranean goodness. Perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, and impressing your guests with minimal effort. Don't skip the resting step—this dish gets even better after it sits!

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, divided (half for the filling, half for the sauce)

• 1 bunch parsley, divided (half for the filling, half for the sauce)

• 1 bunch cilantro, divided (half for the filling, half for the sauce)

• 1lb ground beef or lamb

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 2 teaspoons cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 bags of frozen artichoke bottoms, thawed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 10 garlic cloves, minced

• Water, as needed

• Juice of 1/2 lemon, squeezed before adding herbs to cooking

• Spicy Tahini

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling:

   • Finely chop half of the onion, half of the parsley, half of the cilantro, and 1 garlic clove.

   • Add them to the ground meat and season with paprika, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.

   • Mix everything well until fully combined. This is where the magic starts!

1. Stuff & Sear the Artichokes:

   • Take the thawed artichoke bottoms and fill them generously with the meat mixture.

   • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and lightly sear the stuffed artichokes for a few minutes until golden on both the top and bottom. Remove from the pan and set aside.

1. Prepare the Sauce:

   • In the same pan, add the remaining chopped onion and the remaining sliced garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, turning light golden. Add 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and salt to taste, stirring to combine.

   • Add quartered artichoke heads (left unstuffed) and sauté briefly.

   • Add a splash of water, letting it reduce slightly to build flavor for about 5-7 minutes.

   • Arrange the stuffed artichokes neatly in the pan.

   • Pour in enough water to reach halfway up the artichokes.

   • Sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley and cilantro over the top, then squeeze the juice of half a lemon evenly to enhance the flavors. 

2. Slow Cook:

   • Cover and simmer over medium heat for 1 hour, letting all the flavors come together beautifully.

1. Rest & Serve:

   • Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving—seriously, don’t skip this step! This helps everything settle and makes the dish even more flavorful.

   • Serve warm, spooning that rich, flavorful sauce over the artichokes. Pair it with rice only and a drizzle of spicy tahini for the spicy lovers!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✅ Easy to make with frozen artichokes—no peeling needed!
✅ Packed with warming spices for deep, rich flavors
✅ Slow-cooked perfection—the longer it simmers, the better it gets!
✅ Goddess-approved meal prep—leftovers? Even more delicious tomorrow!

This dish is a warm hug in a bowl—deep flavors, soft artichokes, juicy meat, and that irresistible sauce. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping, or just treating yourself, this is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Enjoy!