Name: Harissa Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: North African
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or lamb; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 large egg; 2 tbsp harissa paste (adjust for spice level); 2 garlic cloves, minced; 14 oz can crushed tomatoes; 1 tbsp lemon juice

Description

These flavorful Harissa Meatballs combine ground beef or lamb with spicy North African harissa paste, garlic, and fresh parsley. Baked to perfection and simmered in a bright, tangy tomato sauce, they make an easy and satisfying main dish with a kick. Perfect for serving with rice, couscous, or crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

1 lb ground beef or lamb
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 large egg
2 tbsp harissa paste (adjust for spice level)
2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce Ingredients

14 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare for baking the meatballs.
Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, egg, harissa paste, and minced garlic until the mixture is uniform and slightly sticky.
Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking during baking.
Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
Simmer Sauce: While the meatballs bake, place the crushed tomatoes and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat, and let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
Combine and Simmer: Add the baked meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce and allow them to cook together for an additional 5 minutes, letting the meatballs absorb the tangy sauce.

Notes

Adjust the amount of harissa paste based on your preferred spice level; start with less if sensitive to heat.
Serve these meatballs over couscous, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Ground lamb adds a richer flavor, but ground beef is a great substitute for a milder taste.
You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate before baking for convenience.
For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: North African