Moroccan Meatballs with Herb Couscous

Transport your taste buds to North Africa with these irresistibly spiced Moroccan Meatballs with Herb Couscous. Combining a mixture of ground beef and lamb, these tender meatballs are infused with warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and paprika, delivering a flavorful punch in every bite. Simmered in a rich tomato and harissa sauce, they pair perfectly with fluffy couscous infused with fresh cilantro, mint, and a zesty splash of lemon juice. This enticing dish comes together in just 50 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner that feels like a gourmet escape. Serve this one-pot comfort over herbaceous couscous and garnish with fresh herbs for a beautifully aromatic and satisfying meal. Perfect for fans of bold flavors and easy-to-make global cuisine!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Ground lamb
• 60 g Breadcrumbs
• 1 large Egg
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp Ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 400 g Canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Harissa paste
• 200 ml Vegetable or chicken stock
• 300 g Couscous
• 300 ml Boiling water
• 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp Fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, breadcrumbs, egg, 1 minced garlic clove, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, paprika, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a walnut. You should get approximately 20-25 meatballs.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs and set them aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, harissa paste, and vegetable or chicken stock to the skillet. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 6

Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and let them simmer in the sauce for 20 minutes, occasionally spooning sauce over the meatballs.

Step 7

While the meatballs are simmering, prepare the couscous. Place the couscous in a large heatproof bowl and pour over the boiling water. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 8

Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in the fresh cilantro, fresh mint, and lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt if needed.

Step 9

Serve the meatballs over the herb couscous, spooning extra sauce over the top. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2181.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2936.4

Total Fat 181.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.3g
Cholesterol 791.4mg	0%
Sodium 6743.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.6g	0%
Total Sugars 25.9g
Protein 182.5g	0%

Vitamin D 63.8IU	0%
Calcium 418.5mg	0%
Iron 26.7mg	0%
Potassium 4182.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.6%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 20.9%