Moroccan Kefta Tagine Recipe (Meatballs with Eggs)
Calories: 28
Adjust Servings Here: 4 servings
Description
Tender Moroccan meatballs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce and finished with poached eggs! This authentic kefta tagine (also called kefta mkaouara) is simple, fragrant, and full of North African flavor. Perfect with warm flatbread to scoop up every drop!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs (Kefta)
- 250 g (½ lb) Ground beef
- 250 g (½ lb) Ground lamb
- 1 med (¼ cup) Onion finely grated
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 - 2 Tbsp Semolina (or breadcrumbs)
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Ground cumin
- ¼ tsp Ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- ¼ tsp Cayenne (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp Ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 med Onion finely chopped
- 2 large Garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g (14 oz) Crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup Chicken or vegetable broth (more as needed)
- ½ tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Ground cumin
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- ¼ tsp Ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 large Eggs
- 2 Tbsp Chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, semolina, and all the spices. Season with salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix gently — just until the ingredients come together. Don’t knead or squeeze the meat, or the kefta will turn dense. Form small balls, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. Place them on a plate, cover them, and set them aside while you start the sauce.250 g Ground beef, 250 g Ground lamb, 1 med Onion, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 - 2 Tbsp Semolina , 1 tsp Paprika, ½ tsp Ground cumin, ¼ tsp Ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp Turmeric, ¼ tsp Cayenne , ½ tsp Ground ginger, Salt and pepper to taste
- Make the base sauce - Heat olive oil in a large, wide skillet or tagine over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sauté for about 3–4 minutes until soft and fragrant.2 Tbsp Olive oil, 1 med Onion, 2 large Garlic cloves
- Build the flavor - Add all the dry spices (paprika, cumin, turmeric, ginger) and stir in the tomato paste.Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste darkens in color — this step develops depth and sweetness.½ tsp Paprika, ½ tsp Ground cumin, ¼ tsp Turmeric, ¼ tsp Ground ginger, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- Add liquids and simmer - Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Season with salt and pepper, stir well, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan partially, and let it simmer for about 5–7 minutes. The sauce should start to thicken slightly.400 g Crushed tomatoes, ½ cup Chicken or vegetable broth
- Add the meatballs - Gently drop the prepared meatballs into the simmering sauce one by one. Try not to stir right away — give them 2–3 minutes to set their shape. Once they’ve firmed a bit, use a spoon to nudge them gently so they’re covered in sauce. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. The meatballs will release some of their juices and make the sauce rich and flavorful.
- Check seasoning and consistency - Uncover the pan and taste the sauce. Adjust the salt, pepper, or other spices as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth; if it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.
- Add the eggs - Use the back of a spoon to make four small wells between the meatballs. Crack one egg into each well. Sprinkle a little salt over the eggs. Cover and cook on low heat for about 3–4 minutes — just until the whites are set but the yolks are still soft. Keep an eye on them; they go from perfect to overcooked quickly.4 large Eggs
- Garnish and serve - Remove from heat immediately once the eggs look set but slightly jiggly on top. Sprinkle chopped parsley over everything and drizzle a touch of olive oil if you like. Serve hot, straight from the pan, with warm Moroccan flatbread (khobz) or pita for dipping and scooping.2 Tbsp Chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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