Moroccan-style meatballs with veg couscous

Moroccan-style meatballs with veg couscous

This yummy North African-inspired dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Aromatic beef meatballs are simmered in a garlicky tomato, onion and spinach sauce, and served with mounds of couscous loaded with peas and courgette. Best of all, it’s on the table in under half an hour.

SWK: High protein Plants 8 SWK: High fibre

Serving size

Cook time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Moroccan
Food group: Beef
Allergens: Sulphites, Wheat

Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Ace the base!

  • Peel and finely dice the onions. Peel and crush the garlic, and halve or quarter any larger tomatoes. Spritz a non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and put it over a medium heat. Tip in three-quarters of the onions and all the tomatoes and cook for 4-5 mins.

Shape & sizzle

  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix a quarter of the Moroccan seasoning sachet into the mince. Using your hands, shape into 10 even-sized balls (20 for 4 portions).
  • Add the garlic and meatballs to the frying pan and cook for 3-4 mins, until the meatballs have browned.

Ramp up the flavour

  • Add another quarter of the Moroccan seasoning sachet (the rest of the sachet for 4 portions), the tomato purée and the vinegar to the pan. Crumble in half the stock cube and pour in 150ml water (use all the stock and 200ml water for 4 portions). Stir well and simmer for 5 mins.
  • Add the spinach and simmer for 4-5 mins, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Lightly season to taste with salt.

Prep your couscous

  • At the same time, put the couscous in a large bowl and lightly season to taste with salt. Pour in enough boiled water to just cover the couscous, stir well, cover and leave for 5 mins, until the water is absorbed.

Bring everything together

  • Coarsely grate the courgettes and stir them into the couscous, along with the remaining onions and the peas.
  • Finely chop the parsley and scatter it over the meatballs and couscous to serve.

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