North African Couscous Kefta (Printable)

Spiced meatballs cooked with vegetables, served on fluffy couscous for a flavorful North African meal.

# What You Need:

→ Kefta (Meatballs)

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef or lamb
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
05 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1 tsp sweet paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Couscous

13 - 1 1/2 cups couscous
14 - 1 1/4 cups boiling water
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Vegetable Sauce

17 - 2 tbsp olive oil
18 - 1 large onion, sliced
19 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
20 - 2 zucchinis, sliced
21 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
22 - 2 tomatoes, diced
23 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
24 - 1 tsp ground cumin
25 - 1 tsp ground coriander
26 - 1/2 tsp turmeric
27 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
28 - 1/2 tsp paprika
29 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
30 - 3 cups vegetable or beef broth
31 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
32 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Combine ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly by hand until evenly blended. Shape into 20 to 24 walnut-sized balls. Set aside.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini; cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add diced tomatoes and minced garlic to the vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper to evenly coat the mixture.
04 - Pour in broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and black pepper according to taste.
05 - Carefully add meatballs to the simmering sauce. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring gently halfway through, until meatballs are fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
06 - Place couscous in a heatproof bowl. Add salt and olive oil, then pour boiling water over it. Cover tightly with a lid or plate and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
07 - Transfer couscous to a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon meatballs and vegetable sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The meatballs stay impossibly juicy because they braise in their own sauce rather than being pan-fried, which I learned by happy accident.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which feels like a gift when you're already tired from cooking.
  • The spice blend tastes complex and restaurant-quality but actually comes from pantry staples you probably already have.
02 -
  • Don't overmix the kefta meat or the meatballs will turn tough and dense; mix just until everything is combined and you're done.
  • The meatballs will seem very soft and fragile when raw, but they'll hold together once they start cooking in the sauce.
  • Couscous can go from perfectly fluffy to gummy in about two minutes if you keep stirring it after fluffing, so resist the urge to fidget with it.
03 -
  • Grate your onion on the smallest holes of a box grater so it breaks down completely into the meat and disappears rather than staying as chunks.
  • If your meatballs seem to be falling apart as they cook, chill the mixture in the freezer for thirty minutes before shaping and cooking.
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