Special Moroccan Meatballs in Spicy Sauce with Zoodles

I like these Special Moroccan Meatballs in Spicy Sauce with Zoodles recipe for several reasons: it adds plenty of veggies to your day, you can make it in bulk and freeze, it’s warming, it’s made with lamb mince, comforting and contains plenty of anti-inflammatory spices. You can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or paleo by removing the breadcrumbs altogether. Try it out, and let me know what you think.

Special Moroccan Meatballs in Spicy Sauce with Zoodles

Eleanor Craig

These Special Moroccan Meatballs in Spicy Sauce with Zoodles is so healthy and comforting. You should definitely give this recipe a try.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Share by Email Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Moroccan

Servings 4 people

Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

TO MAKE THE MEATBALLS:

• 1 pound ground lamb (minced lamb)
• 2 medium eggs
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup parsley - finely chopped
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

TO MAKE THE SAUCE:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ cup white onion - finely diced
•  
  2 sprigs rosemary leaves - stalks removed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 jar passata or crushed tomatoes (tomato puree with seeds removed) - about 700 grams
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper

TO MAKE THE ZUCCHINI NOODLES:

• 2 large zucchinis
•  
  ¼ cup Roast flaked almonds - to garnish, optional

Instructions

 

• Mix 1 tablespoon garlic, eggs, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, pepper, parsley, breadcrumbs and lamb mince together in a mixing bowl. Shape the meat into ping-pong sized balls.
• Grease the baking dish with olive oil, and put the meatballs onto it, spaced evenly. Place beneath a grill, and cook, turning once, until the meatballs are well browned, approximately 3-4 minutes on each side. Turn the oven to 200°C.
• Add oil to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Then add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn heat to low and add rosemary, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add the passata and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Pour sauce over meatballs in the baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
• Meanwhile, toast almonds in a small frypan for 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside (this step is optional).
• Prepare the zucchini noodles. Cut lengthwise slices from zucchini using a vegetable peeler. You could then slice into even thinner strips with a sharp knife or just leave as is.
• Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add ‘zoodles’ and boil gently for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Make sure not to overcook, as they will fall apart. Place into a serving bowl.
• Place meatballs and sauce over zoodles. Top with flaked almonds. Serve.

Notes

Notes:

Refrigerate one serve for the next day’s lunch—freeze remaining meatballs and sauce (without zucchini spaghetti).

Cooking Tips:

Adjust cooking time depending on meatball size. Small meatballs will dry out with a longer cooking time.

Variations:

• For a gluten-free dish, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• For a vegetarian meal, replace mince with defrosted Quorn mince or tofu mince and reduce cooking time to prevent meatballs from drying out. Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock.

What’s good about this recipe?

Research has shown that many spices, including paprika, coriander, cumin and cayenne pepper possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.

Rosemary has been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant functions. Rosemary extract has also been shown to be beneficial for managing pain as well as inflammation. A study involving patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis who received rosemary-based supplements experienced a significant reduction of pain and a decrease in their level of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation. Another study evaluated the benefits of rosemary alone in managing arthritis and found that rosemary oil effectively reduced the pain associated with arthritis.

Zucchini noodles are low in kilojoules. Add fiber, and another serving of vegetables. It’s also a great alternative to wheat spaghetti for people following a gluten-free or paleo diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 29gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 237mgPotassium: 645mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1041IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 5mg

Have you tried this recipe?Please leave a rating and comment.