Moroccan Spiral Meatball and Zucchini Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake is a flavorful and visually striking dish that combines spiced meat with tender zucchini spirals. It’s a wholesome, comforting meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground meat (beef, lamb, or a mix)
• 3 medium zucchinis
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, combine the ground meat, garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
2. Step 2: Using a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler, create long zucchini spirals or ribbons. Lay each zucchini strip flat, then spread a thin layer of the seasoned meat mixture over it.
3. Step 3: Carefully roll each zucchini strip into a tight spiral, securing it if needed with a toothpick.
4. Step 4: Pour the tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the zucchini-meat spirals standing upright in the sauce, packing them snugly together.
5. Step 5: Drizzle olive oil over the spirals, cover the dish with foil, and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the meat is cooked through and the zucchini is tender.
6. Step 6: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this fragrant and hearty Moroccan-inspired bake warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground lamb for a traditional Moroccan flavor, or beef for a milder taste.
• Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to the meat mixture for extra freshness.
• If you don’t have a spiralizer, thin zucchini ribbons made with a peeler work well too.
• Serve with couscous or crusty bread to soak up the tomato sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen for up to one month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables instead of zucchini?

Yes, thin slices of eggplant or summer squash also work well for rolling with the meat mixture.

How spicy is this dish?

The dish is mildly spiced with warm Moroccan seasonings but not hot. You can adjust spice levels by adding chili flakes or harissa if you prefer more heat.

Moroccan Spiral Meatball and Zucchini Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 72 reviews

This Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake combines savory ground meat and fresh zucchini, spiraled together and baked in a rich tomato sauce infused with fragrant Moroccan spices. A delicious and visually appealing dish that blends hearty flavors with a healthy vegetable base, perfect for a cozy dinner.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Moroccan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatball Mixture

• 1 lb ground meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Vegetables and Sauce

• 3 medium zucchinis, spiralized or sliced thinly
• 2 cups tomato sauce (preferably homemade or no-sugar-added)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the meat mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat with cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Mix well until all spices are evenly distributed.
2. Spiral the meat and zucchini: Form the spiced ground meat into thin spirals or long strips. Use a spiralizer or slice the zucchinis into thin ribbons. Alternate layering or wrapping the meat spirals with zucchini ribbons to create a visually appealing spiral effect.
3. Assemble in baking dish: Heat olive oil in a skillet briefly and pour a layer of tomato sauce into a baking dish. Arrange the meat and zucchini spirals snugly in the sauce, ensuring they are partially submerged for even cooking.
4. Bake the dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the meat is fully cooked and zucchini is tender.
5. Finish and serve: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to slightly caramelize the top if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve hot with your choice of side or bread.

Notes

• You can use ground beef, lamb, or a mixture for authentic Moroccan flavor.
• Adjust spices according to your taste preference.
• Using a spiralizer for zucchini creates an attractive presentation but thin slicing works too.
• This dish pairs well with couscous or crusty bread.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: Moroccan meatballs, zucchini bake, spiral meatballs, ground meat recipe, healthy bake, tomato sauce bake