Moroccan Spiced Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
This delightful Moroccan-inspired dish combines tender, spiced meatballs with a rich and flavorful tomato sauce. The recipe originated from a traditional tagine, but has been thoughtfully adapted to create a comforting and satisfying meal. The warm spices, including cumin, paprika, and coriander, lend a sweet and spicy flavor that dances on the palate, making it one of my favorite dishes. It pairs beautifully with Moroccan bread for scooping or can be served over pasta to create a hearty meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is sure to impress family and friends.
4
Servings
305
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (minced)
Parsley
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
Onion
1/4 (grated)
Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon
Paprika
1/2 teaspoon
Ground Coriander
1/4 teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Salt
to taste
Black Pepper
to taste
Oil
2 tablespoons (for browning meatballs)
Canned Diced Tomatoes
28 ounces
Canned Tomato Sauce
8 ounces
Fresh Parsley
2-3 tablespoons (finely chopped for garnish)
Cilantro
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
Onion
1/2 (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2 medium (minced)
Olive Oil
1-2 tablespoons (for sauce)
Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon
Salt
1 teaspoon
Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Ground Coriander
1/2 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
Paprika
1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric
1/4 teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, finely chopped parsley, ground cumin, paprika, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well-combined.
2
Shape the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and gently flatten each ball.
3
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, remove from the skillet, cover, and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, drain excess fat if necessary, and add the chopped onion. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes; then add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
5
Drain about half the juice from the canned diced tomatoes and add the tomatoes to the skillet, along with the canned tomato sauce, parsley, olive oil, and the remaining spices (cumin, salt, pepper, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne). Stir well to combine.
6
Simmer the sauce uncovered over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
7
Return the meatballs to the sauce, gently stirring to coat them. Allow to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, ensuring the meatballs are heated through.
8
Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley and cilantro if desired. Accompany with warm Moroccan bread or serve over pasta for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
21.25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in Moroccan Spiced Meatballs?
The recipe uses 1 lb of minced ground beef for the meatballs.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What are the primary spices used in the meatball mixture?
The meatballs are seasoned with ground cumin, paprika, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper.
How large should the meatballs be shaped?
The mixture should be shaped into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter.
How long should I brown the meatballs in the skillet?
Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat.
What type of tomato products are needed for the sauce?
You will need 28 ounces of canned diced tomatoes and 8 ounces of canned tomato sauce.
Should I drain the canned diced tomatoes?
Yes, you should drain about half the juice from the canned diced tomatoes before adding them to the skillet.
What spices are added specifically to the tomato sauce?
The sauce includes cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne pepper.
How long does the tomato sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until it thickens.
How long do the meatballs cook once returned to the sauce?
They should simmer in the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure they are heated through.
What is the total calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 305 calories.
How much protein is in one serving of this dish?
There are 21.25g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 14g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What are some recommended side dishes for these meatballs?
You can serve them with warm Moroccan bread for scooping or over pasta for a heartier meal.
How should the onion be prepared for the meatball mixture?
The onion for the meatball mixture should be grated rather than chopped.
What herbs are used in the meatball mixture?
Finely chopped parsley is used inside the meatballs.
What herbs are suggested for the garnish?
The dish can be garnished with additional fresh parsley and cilantro.
How many garlic cloves are required for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 medium garlic cloves, minced.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 25 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Is cinnamon used in the meatballs or the sauce?
Cinnamon is used specifically in the tomato sauce, not in the meatball mixture.
What provides the yellow color in the sauce?
The addition of 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric gives the sauce its distinct coloring.
Should the skillet be covered while browning the meatballs?
No, the meatballs are browned uncovered, though they are covered briefly after being removed from the skillet.
What is the origin of this dish?
The recipe is a Moroccan-inspired dish thoughtfully adapted from a traditional tagine.
How much oil is used for the sauce?
The sauce uses 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, it has a sweet and spicy flavor profile due to the cayenne pepper and warm Moroccan spices.
How do you prepare the onion for the sauce?
Unlike the grated onion in the meatballs, the onion for the sauce should be chopped.
What heat level should I use to sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until softened.
Can I use fresh cilantro in the sauce?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro are included in the sauce preparation.
What is the first step in making the meatballs?
The first step is to combine the ground beef, grated onion, parsley, and spices in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.