Moroccan Spiral Meatball and Zucchini Bake Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
