Description
A flavorful Moroccan-inspired dish featuring tender ground beef or lamb meatballs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce. This hearty recipe combines warm spices like cumin, paprika, and cinnamon with fresh herbs, making it an excellent choice for a comforting and aromatic meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 onion, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for binding)
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix ground beef or lamb with grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley and cilantro, spices (cumin, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper), salt, black pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs if using. Combine until homogeneous and form into small balls about 1 inch in diameter.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, approximately 3–4 minutes.
- Cook Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer Tomato Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook Meatballs in Sauce: Add the prepared meatballs carefully into the tomato sauce, cover the skillet or saucepan, and simmer gently over low heat for 20–25 minutes. Turn the meatballs occasionally to ensure even cooking. The meatballs should be cooked through and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the dish before serving to add a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, omit the breadcrumbs or substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If preferred, you can use ground lamb for a more authentic Moroccan flavor.
- The cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted based on spice preference.
- Serve meatballs with couscous, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Moroccan
