Description
This Tajine with Meatballs & Potatoes is a warm, comforting dish packed with rich flavors and hearty ingredients. The tender, spiced meatballs simmered in a savory tomato sauce with potatoes and Moroccan spices create the perfect one-pot meal. A traditional Moroccan tagine that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- For the sauce and potatoes:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, spices, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Brown the Meatballs:
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan or a tagine over medium heat.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides (this should take about 5-7 minutes). Once browned, set them aside.
- Cook the Sauce:
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the sliced onion and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and spices. Stir well, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add Potatoes:
- Add the potato chunks to the sauce and stir to coat. Let the potatoes cook in the sauce for about 10 minutes.
- Simmer the Tajine:
- Gently return the meatballs to the pan with the potatoes and sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the potatoes are tender.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving. Serve hot with couscous or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce
Notes
- You can substitute ground lamb for beef for a more traditional Moroccan flavor.
- If you don’t have a tagine, a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven works well for cooking this dish.
- You can add additional vegetables like carrots or zucchini to the tajine for more variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Moroccan Cuisine
- Method: Slow Cooking, SautéingSlow Cooking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Keywords: tajine, meatballs, potatoes, Moroccan food, tagine recipe, comfort food