Meaningful Macros’ Moroccan Meatballs are more than a meal—they’re a magical, macro-filled moment. These savory, spice-packed wonders bring cinnamon, cumin, and paprika to the table, all wrapped in a luscious tomato sauce. Roasted carrots and fluffy jasmine rice round out this perfectly portioned plate. At 59g protein, this recipe is a modern marvel with a macro breakdown to match. What are you waiting for? Dive into this Moroccan masterpiece.
Moroccan Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs lean ground beef 93% lean
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 tbsp dried
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water optional, for thinning
For the Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
For the Vegetables:
- 1 lb carrots peeled and cut into sticks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook according to your preferred method (rice cooker or stovetop).1 cup jasmine rice
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, garlic, and all spices. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.2 lbs lean ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs (approximately 28–32 meatballs). Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Toss carrot sticks with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet.1 lb carrots, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Bake meatballs at 400°F for 15–18 minutes or until browned and cooked through. You will need to roast the carrots for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly caramelized.
- While the meatballs & carrots bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (1–2 minutes).1 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves garlic
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, honey, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Thin with chicken broth or water if needed.14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- Toss the baked meatballs into the spiced tomato sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
- Divide rice evenly among four meal prep containers. Top each container with meatballs and sauce.
- Add roasted carrots to the side. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Nutrition
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Why You’ll Love These Moroccan Meatballs
This Moroccan-inspired meatball meal prep takes your taste buds on a flavor-packed journey while delivering an impressive 59g of protein per serving.
✅ Juicy, perfectly spiced Moroccan meatballs with hints of cumin, paprika & cinnamon
✅ A rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce that adds warmth & depth
✅ Caramelized roasted carrots for natural sweetness & balance
✅ An easy meal prep recipe that stays flavorful all week
Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
💥 Make it leaner – Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
💥 Lower the carbs – Use cauliflower rice instead of jasmine rice.
💥 Add extra veggies – Toss in roasted bell peppers or zucchini.
💥 More spice? – Increase the cayenne or add harissa for heat.
💥 Creamy twist – Serve with Greek yogurt for extra richness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Moroccan Meatballs
🔥 Don’t overmix the meat – Keeps the meatballs juicy & tender.
🔥 Roast the carrots at high heat – Gives them caramelized edges & deep flavor.
🔥 Simmer the sauce low & slow – Lets the flavors meld together.
🔥 Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro – Adds freshness & color.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
🥡 Storage: Keep in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
🔥 Reheating: Microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring in between.
🍽️ Pair it with: A simple side of hummus or naan for extra flavor.
🌿 Garnish ideas: Parsley, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of tahini.
Optional Garnishes
🌿 Chopped fresh parsley
🌰 Toasted sesame seeds
🥄 Drizzle of tahini or Greek yogurt