Algerian Kefta (Meatballs)
Algerian Kefta (Meatballs) features juicy ground beef patties simmered in a garlicky Roma tomato sauce perfumed with parsley and ras el hanout. The meatballs brown to a crisp edge, then soak up a bright, savory sauce that’s ideal for dipping with a baguette. Serve as a cozy weeknight meal or a shareable dish for casual gatherings.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook30 mins
- Serves3
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Algerian Kefta (Meatballs), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 45 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 6 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 89 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 37
- Heart Health
- 54
- Metabolic
- 19
- Digestive
- 21
- Inflammatory
- 49
- Performance
- 42
- General Wellness
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with 1/2 of the minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of the chopped onion. Mix with your hands until well combined. Form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch oblong patties; you should end up with 12 to 14 meatballs.
- 2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties in batches in the hot skillet until crispy on both sides and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a rimmed serving dish.
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium and stir the remaining chopped onion into the drippings in the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the Roma tomatoes, dried parsley, and ras el hanout. Pour in the water. Cook until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs to serve.
- Calories 416.64 kcal High 21%
- Protein 26.44 g Good Source 53%
- Carbohydrate 8.23 g 3%
- Total Fat 30.05 g High 39%
- Saturated Fat 12.18 g High 61%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 107.36 mg High 36%
- Sodium 108.27 mg Low Source 5%
- Dietary Fiber 1.67 g Low Source 6%
- Total Sugars 4.54 g --
- Added Sugars 1.67 g Low Source 3%
- Calcium 47.21 mg Low Source 4%
- Iron 2.93 mg Moderate 16%
- Potassium 25.36 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin A 42.43 mcg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin C 14.67 mg Moderate 16%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Algerian Kefta (Meatballs) is a Moroccan dinner recipe made with 8 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr, serves 3, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Diced Onion, Dried Parsley, Ground Beef, and Middle Eastern Seasoning. Each serving provides about 416.64 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Algerian Kefta (Meatballs)?
- It is a Moroccan meatball recipe made with 8 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Algerian Kefta (Meatballs) made of?
- The main ingredients are Diced Onion, Dried Parsley, Ground Beef, Middle Eastern Seasoning, Minced Garlic. The full list of 8 is above.
- What goes well with Algerian Kefta (Meatballs)?
- Explore these Moroccan side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Algerian Kefta (Meatballs)?
- About 1 hr in total: 30 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 416.64 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Algerian Kefta (Meatballs) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 8 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Algerian Kefta (Meatballs) healthy?
- Algerian Kefta (Meatballs) has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 416.64 calories and 26.44 g of protein, or 53% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: saturated fat at 12.18 g (61% of the Daily Value). It contains Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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