Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines spiced meatballs with fresh zucchini spirals. It’s an easy and satisfying meal perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground meat (beef, lamb, or a mix)
• 3 medium zucchinis, spiralized
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or a blend)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, mix the ground meat with cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well combined. Form the mixture into small meatballs.
2. Step 2: Spiralize the zucchinis into long curls. Take a small handful of zucchini spirals and wrap them around each meatball gently to create a spiral effect.
3. Step 3: Place the spiral-wrapped meatballs in a baking dish. Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the top.
4. Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the zucchini is tender.
5. Step 5: Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Step 6: Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add finely chopped garlic and onion to the meat mixture before forming meatballs.
• Try using a mix of ground beef and lamb for a richer taste.
• Substitute tomato sauce with a spiced harissa sauce for a bit more heat.
• Use a low-moisture cheese like mozzarella to prevent the bake from becoming watery.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to keep the zucchini from becoming soggy. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables instead of zucchini?

Yes, thinly sliced or spiralized vegetables like yellow squash or carrots work well as alternatives to zucchini in this recipe.

How can I tell when the meatballs are fully cooked?

The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). They should be firm to the touch and no longer pink inside when cut.

Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 128 reviews

This Moroccan Spiral Meatball Zucchini Bake is a flavorful and healthy dish featuring spiced ground meat formed into meatballs, artfully spiraled with fresh zucchini slices, and baked in a rich tomato sauce topped with melted cheese. Combining aromatic Moroccan spices with fresh vegetables, it makes a delightful low-carb, gluten-free meal perfect for dinner.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Moroccan
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 500g ground meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Vegetables

• 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced for spiraling

Sauce

• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Topping

• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or a blend)

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
2. Form and spiral the meatballs with zucchini: Divide the meat mixture into small portions and form into oval-shaped meatballs. Take thinly sliced zucchini strips and wrap or spiral them around each meatball tightly.
3. Prepare the tomato sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
4. Assemble the bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce. Arrange the zucchini-spiraled meatballs in the dish and pour the remaining tomato sauce evenly over them.
5. Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and zucchini is tender.
6. Add cheese topping and finish baking: Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
7. Serve: Let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dish to set.

Notes

• You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb or turkey according to preference.
• For thicker sauce, simmer the tomato sauce longer before assembling the dish.
• Use a cheese blend with mozzarella for a milder flavor or feta for a tangier taste.
• This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or couscous for a more substantial meal.
• Ensure zucchini slices are thin enough to form easily around the meatballs without breaking.

Keywords: Moroccan meatballs, zucchini bake, spiral zucchini, baked meatballs, Moroccan spices, low-carb dinner, gluten-free main dish