• Home
  • Our Story
  • Contact
MyGourmetConnection

MyGourmetConnection

Recipes for creative cooks

  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Quick & Easy
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Quick & Easy
  • Our Story
  • Contact

Moroccan Lamb Meatballs

by Lynne Webb on March 13, 2016 (Updated September 19, 2020) // 15 Comments

Main Dishes » Lamb & Game » Moroccan Lamb Meatballs

Moroccan Lamb Meatballs

by Lynne Webb on March 13, 2016 (Updated September 19, 2020) // 15 Comments

Seasoned with a Moroccan-style blend of fresh mint, cinnamon, coriander and cumin and simmered in tomato sauce, these tender lamb meatballs make a flavorful change from their Italian-style cousins.
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Moroccan lamb meatballs in a serving dish, serving spoon, and a side dish of white rice

Moroccan cuisine is known worldwide for its complex flavors and iconic dishes. Located on the northwest coast of Africa, the country draws culinary inspiration from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines in addition to those of its native continent.

Our lamb meatballs use a few traditional spices and fresh mint leaves to give them a distinctive Moroccan flavor profile. The accompanying tomato sauce is delicious served over couscous or rice and repeats a couple the spices used in the meatballs, pulling all the flavors together perfectly.

We generally serve these meatballs for dinner, but they can be made smaller and served as an appetizer, using the tomato sauce for dipping.

The flavors of Moroccan cuisine:

Traditional Moroccan cooking uses a wide variety of spices to create unique, multi-layered flavors and aromas. Here’s a list of some of the spices you may want to have on hand if you want to give some Moroccan recipes a try.

  • Cumin
  • Ground ginger
  • Paprika
  • Turmeric
  • Black pepper
  • Cinnamon
  • Cardamom
  • Saffron
  • Cayenne

Alternatively, you could purchase a spice blend called ras el hanout, an Arabic term that means “head of the shop” or “top shelf.”

A bowl of Moroccan lamb meatballs in tomato sauce

More Moroccan recipes:

  • Broiled Lamb Kabobs
  • Grilled Moroccan Lamb Kefta
  • Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Burgers
  • Moroccan Dip Platter (from Half Baked Harvest)
Moroccan Lamb Meatball Recipe

Moroccan Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

4.50 from 24 votes
  |  Leave a Review
Seasoned with a Moroccan-style blend of fresh mint, cinnamon, coriander and cumin and simmered in tomato sauce, these tender lamb meatballs make a flavorful change from their Italian-style cousins.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time : 25 mins
Total Time : 45 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons panko crumbs
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the tomato sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
  • 2 cups diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Combine the lamb, egg, garlic, panko, mint, parsley, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 16 to 18 meatballs about 1-1/4-inches in diameter.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3 minutes total. Transfer the meatballs to a plate, drain the excess fat from the pan and return it to the stove.
  • To make the sauce, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, 1 minute longer.
  • Stir in the tomatoes. Add a 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and coriander and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, then taste again and adjust the spices as desired.
  • Return the meatballs to the pan and turn several times to coat them with the sauce. Cover and simmer slowly until the meatballs are cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving dish, garnish with parsley and serve with steamed white rice.
Have you tried this recipe?Did you add your own special touch? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a rating to share your thoughts with others.

Author: Lynne Webb | 

Course: Lamb
 | 
Cuisine: Mediterranean

One-Pot Spaghetti alla Carbonara PREVIOUS
One-Pot Spaghetti Alla Carbonara
Basque-Style Chicken
Basque-Style Chicken NEXT

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe:




Comments

  1. Judith Maciag says

    April 19, 2021 at 12:40 pm

    What better way to warm up and table travel to Morocco than to make these delicious meatballs!
    No matter how we change/add to/ this recipe it is a hands down sublime mix of warmth with lots of love from the hands of the maker.  The house smells exotic even on a rainy cold spring day! Perfection! Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

    Kind regards
    Smacnego!

    Judith

    Reply
  2. Geneen says

    February 19, 2021 at 10:13 am

    These were FANTASTIC!!!
    I had left over baked cod which I cut up and added to the mix. Let me just say… OUTRAGEOUS is an under statement!! Thanks for such a simple and great recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Lynne Webb says

      February 19, 2021 at 3:21 pm

      Hi Geneen,
      I’m happy to hear you liked the meatballs. Great idea to use up your leftover cod too!

      Reply
  3. John Terry says

    September 16, 2020 at 11:32 am

    These are fantastic!!  Was wondering if they could be done in a crock pot at step 4?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lynne Webb says

      September 16, 2020 at 3:43 pm

      Hi John,
      Glad to hear that you like the meatballs. The crockpot is a great idea as the flavors will develop even more. Try 4 to 6 hours on low.

      Reply
  4. Alex D says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:17 pm

    These were amazing and about to become a regular staple. So healthy and great over rice or likely by itself/with vegetables. The sweetness of the cinnamon in the sauce is fantastic.

    I made a few modifications, pulling from some other recipes I’m familiar with:
    – added a pinch of oregano and italian seasoning in both the meatballs and sauce (I know that’s not Moroccon, but I associate those flavors with lamb dishes I am familiar with)
    – added some lemon zest into the meatballs
    – subbed almond flour for panko to be gluten free (about 3 tbsp)

    Reply
  5. Emma says

    July 25, 2020 at 8:17 am

    I’ve made these several times and every time they are fabulous! Delicious flavours. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lynne Webb says

      July 26, 2020 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Emma,
      I’m happy to hear you liked the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to let us know.

      Reply
  6. Adrienne Thurston says

    May 4, 2020 at 11:24 pm

    Was outstanding! I subbed flour for panko and dill for mint. I made rice and peas with smoked paprika, white pepper and bay leaf. I also made a tzatziki and subbed celery for cucumbers. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    • Lynne Webb says

      May 5, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Hi Adrienne,
      Those are all great variations. Thanks for taking the time to share them with us!

      Reply
  7. Rita says

    December 27, 2018 at 1:39 am

    5 stars
    Delicious and easy, my favorite combination.

    Reply
  8. Sue says

    March 31, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    These look fabulous in the sauce!

    Reply
    • Lynne Webb says

      April 3, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      Thanks Sue!

      Reply
  9. Tara says

    March 13, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Your Morrocan Lamb Meatballs are picture perfect, YUM!!

    Reply
    • Lynne Webb says

      March 14, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks Tara!

      Reply

Hi there! We’re Lynne & Erika, seasoned home cooks and recipe creators here at My Gourmet Connection. Our aim is to bring variety and new flavors to your everyday meals and we’ve got hundreds of recipes for you to explore. Welcome!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

to start making
tastier meals?

Sign up to receive our free ebook and learn five easy ways to level up the flavor of your everyday meals.

Everyday meals, unique flavors

Serving platter with garlic crusted boneless pork roast, partially carved and garnished with fresh herbs.

Garlic Herb Crusted Boneless Pork Roast

Greek Egg and Lemon Soup

Greek Egg and Lemon Soup (Avgolemono Soup)

A bowl of Instant Pot Italian chicken soup sprinkled with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Instant Pot Italian Chicken Soup

Sliced apple cider brined turkey breast on a serving platter.

Apple Cider Brined Turkey Breast

Quick & Easy Recipes

Oven-Fried Fish with Lemon-Basil Butter

Oven-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Basil Butter

Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp Flatbread

Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp Flatbread

Caprese Pasta

Our Best Crab Cake Recipe

More Easy Recipes

Stay Inspired!

Sign up to get our recipes via email.

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility

© 2023 MyGourmetConnection

Site Credits