Moroccan Meatballs (Meatball Tagine)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Morocco with this hearty and flavorful dish, Moroccan Meatballs, also known as Kefta Tagine. These tender meatballs are infused with warm spices and cooked in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce, making it the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or a special gathering, this dish is sure to impress with its deep flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
For the Moroccan Meatballs (Kefta):
- 1 pound ground beef 🥩
- ¼ onion, grated 🧅
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
- 1 tsp paprika 🌶️
- ½ tsp cumin powder 🌿
- 1 tsp coriander powder 🌿
- 1 tsp salt 🧂
- ½ tsp pepper 🌶️
- ¼ tsp turmeric 🌿
- ¼ tsp cinnamon 🌿
- ½ tsp ginger powder (optional) 🌿
- 2 garlic cloves, grated 🧄
For the Meatball Tagine:
- 2½ Tbsp olive oil 🫒
- 1 large onion, diced 🧅
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 🧄
- 1½ tsp paprika 🌶️
- ¼ tsp turmeric 🌿
- ¼ tsp cinnamon 🌿
- ½ tsp pepper 🌶️
- ½ tsp cumin 🌿
- 1 tsp coriander 🌿
- ¼ tsp ginger powder or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (optional) 🌿
- ¼ tsp cayenne 🌶️
- Salt to taste 🧂
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste 🍅
- 1½ cups grated tomatoes 🍅
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
- ¼ cup water 💧
- 3-4 eggs (optional but highly recommended) 🥚
Instructions
1. Prepare the Moroccan Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs: ground beef, grated onion, parsley, cilantro, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger powder, and grated garlic. Mix everything together with your hands until just combined. Form the mixture into 1¼-inch meatballs and place them in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the sauce.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet or tagine over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until it begins to turn light golden brown. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
3. Create the Spice Base: In a small bowl, mix together all the powdered spices: paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and ginger powder. Add the spice mixture to the sautéed onions and garlic, stirring well to coat. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the grated tomatoes, chopped parsley, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine. Add the water, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let the sauce simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the sauce thickens, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Cook the Meatballs: Gently place the chilled meatballs into the sauce. Cover the skillet or tagine and continue to simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. Be sure to flip the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce.
6. Add the Eggs (Optional): With a spoon, make 3-4 deep wells in the sauce between the meatballs. Crack an egg into each well. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your preference (typically runny for this dish).
7. Serve and Garnish: Garnish the dish with extra chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately with warm, crusty bread or fluffy couscous, and if desired, stir in some green olives for an extra burst of flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Moroccan Meatball Tagine is a perfect blend of spices and textures that creates a comforting and delicious meal. The meatballs are tender, the sauce is rich and flavorful, and the optional eggs add an extra layer of indulgence. Serve this dish with a side of bread or couscous to soak up all the wonderful sauce. Enjoy the flavors of Morocco in your own home with this simple yet impressive recipe!
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Moroccan Meatballs (Meatball Tagine)
- Total Time: 65min
Ingredients
Moroccan Meatballs (Kefta):
1 pound ground beef 🥩
¼ onion, grated 🧅
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
1 tsp paprika 🌶️
½ tsp cumin powder 🌿
1 tsp coriander powder 🌿
1 tsp salt 🧂
½ tsp pepper 🌶️
¼ tsp turmeric 🌿
¼ tsp cinnamon 🌿
½ tsp ginger powder (optional) 🌿
2 garlic cloves, grated 🧄
Meatball Tagine:
2½ Tbsp olive oil 🫒
1 large onion, diced 🧅
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 🧄
1½ tsp paprika 🌶️
¼ tsp turmeric 🌿
¼ tsp cinnamon 🌿
½ tsp pepper 🌶️
½ tsp cumin 🌿
1 tsp coriander 🌿
¼ tsp ginger powder or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (optional) 🌿
¼ tsp cayenne 🌶️
salt to taste 🧂
1 Tbsp tomato paste 🍅
1½ cup grated tomatoes 🍅
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
¼ cup water 💧
3–4 eggs (optional but highly recommended) 🥚
Instructions
1️⃣ Mix all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl, mixing with your hands until just combined. Make 1¼ inch meatballs and keep in the refrigerator while you prep the remaining ingredients and make the sauce. 🥩👐
2️⃣ Heat olive oil in a wide skillet or tagine over medium-high heat. Sauté onion until it starts to get a light golden brown. Add in garlic and sauté for a minute. 🧅🧄🔥
3️⃣ Mix all powdered spices (paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, ginger powder) in a small bowl. Add this to the onion and mix well. Add tomato paste and cook for a minute. 🌶️🌿🍅
4️⃣ Add grated tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and parsley along with salt and mix well. Add water, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer the sauce for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the consistency of the sauce is to your liking, taste and adjust seasoning. 🍅🌿💧
5️⃣ Add the meatballs. Cover and continue to simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are just cooked through. Flip them halfway through and coat them well with sauce. 🥩⏳
6️⃣ Make 3-4 deep wells in the sauce between the meatballs with a spoon. Crack an egg into each well. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until egg whites are set and egg yolks are done to your liking (typically they are runny). 🍳⏳
7️⃣ Garnish with parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately with warm, crusty bread or couscous with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. You can also serve it with green olives stirred in. 🌿🥖🍴
- Prep Time: 20min
- Cook Time: 45min