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A plate of moroccan meatballs with couscous

Moroccan Meatballs

Diana Rattray
Moroccan meatballs are a flavorful blend of ground beef, herbs, and spices simmered in an aromatic tomato sauce. Perfectly spiced and satisfyingly hearty!
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Servings 4 servings
Calories 480
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

For the Tomato Sauce

  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 ½ cups diced onions
  • 1 tsp grated garlic
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • ¾ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp Aleppo pepper flakes, or crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans tomatoes, diced or crushed

For the Moroccan Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef, 85/15 or leaner
  • 1 small onion, grated or finely chopped
  • 1 tsp grated garlic
  • 6 tbsp chopped cilantro, divided
  • 1 ½ tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp Aleppo pepper flakes
  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of grated garlic, 2 teaspoons of cumin, 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, the ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
    1 tbsp vegetable oil | 1 1/2 cups diced onions | 1 tsp grated garlic | 2 tsp ground cumin | 2 tsp sweet paprika | 1 tsp ground turmeric | 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt | 3/4 tsp cinnamon | 1/2 tsp ground coriander | 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes | 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Add the diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
    2 (14.5-ounce) cans tomatoes
    moroccan meatball prep, the sauce.
  • Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot; simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the meatballs.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, with the grated onion, grated garlic, half of the chopped cilantro, 1 1/2 teaspoons each of paprika and cumin, 1 teaspoon of fine salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper flakes, and a dash of black pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.
    1 pound ground beef | 1 small onion | 1 tsp grated garlic | 3 tbsp chopped cilantro | 1 1/2 tsp sweet paprika | 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin | 1 tsp fine salt | 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon | 1/2 tsp ground coriander | 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes | 1 dash freshly ground black pepper
  • Shape the mixture into 12 to 18 meatballs.
    Shaped meatballs for Moroccan meatballs.
  • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the meatballs and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
    2 tbsp vegetable oil
    Frying the Moroccan meatballs.
  • Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce, cover the pan, and continue to simmer over low heat until the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes longer.
    Moroccan meatballs in sauce.
  • Serve the meatballs and sauce garnished with the remaining 3 tablespoons of cilantro.
    3 tbsp chopped cilantro

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 22gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 706mgPotassium: 524mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 888IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 4mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

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