Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake is a flavorful and hearty dish combining spiced meatballs and tender zucchini in a rich tomato sauce. It’s an easy, one-pan meal that brings Moroccan-inspired warmth to your dinner table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground meat (beef, lamb, or a mix)
• 3 medium zucchinis, sliced
• 2 tablespoons Moroccan spice blend (cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and turmeric)
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix the ground meat with Moroccan spices, salt, and pepper until well combined. Shape the meat mixture into spiral-shaped meatballs for a unique presentation.
2. Step 2: In a baking dish, arrange the spiral meatballs alongside the sliced zucchini evenly. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs and zucchini, ensuring everything is well coated.
3. Step 3: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the zucchini is tender.
4. Step 4: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your flavorful Moroccan-inspired bake!

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture and flavor, add a splash of broth to the tomato sauce before baking.
• Try mixing minced garlic and fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro into the meatballs for added freshness.
• You can substitute zucchini with eggplant or bell peppers if preferred.
• Serve with couscous or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through or microwave in short intervals to avoid drying out the meatballs.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made Moroccan spice blend?

Yes, store-bought Moroccan spice blends work well and save time, but you can also create your own mix to adjust the flavors to your liking.

What if I don’t have spiral molds for the meatballs?

You can simply shape the meat into regular round meatballs and they will still be delicious. The spiral shape adds visual appeal but doesn’t affect the taste.

Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 134 reviews

This Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake combines tender ground meat rolled into flavorful spiral shapes, nestled alongside fresh zucchini slices and baked in a richly spiced Moroccan tomato sauce. This hearty yet healthy casserole brings aromatic spices and vibrant vegetables together for a comforting and visually stunning meal.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Moroccan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 tablespoon Moroccan spice blend (cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables

• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into rounds

Sauce

• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, Moroccan spice blend, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all spices are evenly incorporated.
2. Form spiral meatballs: Take small portions of the meat mixture and roll into spiral shapes by wrapping the meat around your finger or a skewer to create the distinctive swirl form.
3. Prepare the sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in tomato sauce, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
4. Assemble the bake: In a baking dish, arrange zucchini slices evenly. Place the spiral meatballs on top of the zucchini. Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the meatballs and zucchini, ensuring they are well covered.
5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked and zucchini is tender.
6. Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• If you prefer, add chopped fresh cilantro or parsley to the meat mixture for extra freshness.
• To make this dish gluten-free, ensure your Moroccan spice blend is free of any additives containing gluten.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
• For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat mixture or sauce.

Keywords: Moroccan meatball bake, zucchini bake, spiral meatballs, Moroccan spices, baked meatballs, healthy casserole