Moroccan Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
divided
- 2 white onions
diced
- 3 cloves garlic
minced, divided
- 2 14.1-ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
divided
- 3 1/2 teaspoons paprika
divided
- 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes/red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
or gluten free breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup fresh chopped cilantro
- to tasteSalt and pepper
Directions
- 1
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large, high-sided frying pan and fry the onion over a medium heat until softened — about 5 minutes.
- 2
Remove half the onion from the pan and set aside. You'll use this for the meatballs later.
- 3
Add 2 cloves minced garlic to the pan, along with 1 ½ teaspoons cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, the chili flakes, and the turmeric. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 4
Add the brown sugar, canned tomatoes, and some salt and pepper, to taste. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover the pan, and let it cook for 20 minutes while you prepare the meatballs.
- 5
Grab a large mixing bowl and add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, reserved fried onion, egg, cilantro, remaining 1 clove minced garlic, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- 6
Mix well with your hands to combine the meatball ingredients. Take handfuls of the mixture and roll it into balls between your palms. Aim to use roughly 1 heaped tablespoon of the mixture per meatball.
- 7
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in another frying pan. Fry the meatballs for about 4 minutes on each side on a medium-high heat, then add them to the pan with the tomato sauce.
- 8
Stir everything well, then cover the pan and cook on a low temperature for 15 minutes.
- 9
Serve the meatballs with extra fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.
Moroccan Meatballs Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting, flavor-packed meal that transports you to a vibrant Moroccan market? This Moroccan Meatballs Recipe delivers rich, aromatic flavors perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, bringing warmth and depth to your dinner table.
What makes these Moroccan Meatballs truly stand out is the masterful blend of warm, earthy spices like cumin, paprika, and turmeric, balanced by a hint of chili flakes and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar in the rich, diced tomato sauce. The fresh cilantro brightens every bite, creating a depth of flavor that elevates these from ordinary meatballs to something truly special.
Prepare for tender, savory meatballs infused with fragrant spices, all nestled in a vibrant, slightly sweet, and tangy tomato sauce. The incredible aroma alone will have your kitchen smelling fantastic! This dish is robust yet comforting, offering a satisfying culinary experience that feels both exotic and familiar. It’s a wonderful way to explore new flavors without a complicated process.
Customization & Variations
You can easily tailor this recipe to your pantry or dietary needs. For a gluten-free option, simply swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs as indicated. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili flakes/red pepper flakes to suit your preferred heat level. While this recipe uses ground beef, you could experiment with other ground meats like lamb for a different flavor profile.
These Moroccan Meatballs are wonderfully versatile, perfect served over fluffy couscous, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. It’s an ideal family dinner or a cozy meal for entertaining.