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Mini Moroccan meatball couscous soup starts with a flavorful broth spiced with Moroccan flavors with meatballs and pearl couscous. This soup is so warm and comforting. It can be made with ground lamb or beef that is seasoned and baked. The pearl couscous pairs beautifully and makes this soup so rich and satisfying!
![Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1) Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)](https://i0.wp.com/littlespicejar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mini-Moroccan-Meatball-Soup-5-710x1065.jpg)
Mini Moroccan meatball couscous soup.
Coziness simmered in broth.
It’s that time of the year when I want mini baby meatballs that are spiced to perfection and floating around in the spice-simmered broth. The flavors in the meatballs kind of mellow out in the chicken broth, and together they make the most warm-your-soul kind of soup.
It’s that time of the year when I want mini baby meatballs that are spiced to perfection and floating around in the spice-simmered broth. The flavors in the meatballs kind of mellow out in the chicken broth, and together they make the most warm-your-soul kind of soup.
It’s I’m-feeling-under-the-weather soup but want something that’s both nourishing and flavorful. I, for one, refuse to sip soup that tastes like melted cardboard. If I had to describe it briefly, I’d say it’s really just sunshine in a bowl. The curry powder, turmeric, and thyme make the broth so warm and comforting. It feels like a little ball of sunshine just touched your heart and warmed it up. Topped with fresh chopped mint to brighten it up further and served with homemade crusty bread to soak up all that lovely broth. This is giving Italian wedding soup meets beef and barley meets chicken noodle.
And I’m totally here for it.
![Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2) Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)](https://i0.wp.com/littlespicejar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mini-Moroccan-Meatball-Soup-6-710x1065.jpg)
Ingredients for Moroccan meatball soup
- Ground lamb:I love using lean ground lamb for this meatball couscous soup recipe. The spices pair beautifully with it and the delicate mint flavor elevates all the other ingredients in the soup. Feel free to swap for ground beef if you can’t find ground lamb in your area.
- Seasonings:This soup is heavy on seasonings, and it works! You’ll need ground coriander, ground cumin, dried thyme, curry powder, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. We’ll load all of these into the meatballs and then make them up. When they simmer in that chicken broth, they’ll release all that aroma and goodness into the broth as it simmers. One on the curry powder – be sure to salt-free seasoning so that the Moroccan meatball soup doesn’t become overly salty!
- Tomato Paste:the tomato paste helps brighten all the seasonings and gives the meatballs a lovely color.
- Pearl Couscous:Pearl couscous is so readily available in most grocery stores these days. My grocery store keeps it in the same aisle as the rice. Sometimes pearl couscous is labeled as ‘Israeli couscous’. If you can’t find it, feel free to use acini de pepe or orzo. though, if you swap it for orzo or acini de pepe, you might want to boil it directly in the soup with an additional cup of water instead of boiling it separately.
- Olive Oil: You’ll need a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to start the soup. We’ll saute the shallots in the oil before adding the garlic and simmering the stock.
- Shallots:I use shallots in the recipe for their delicate flavor. You can also use onions if that’s what you have on hand.
- Garlic:Lots of minced garlicflavor in this soup! Mince it up finely, or use a garlic press to make things easier!
- Chicken Stock:Feel free to swap the chicken stock with beef stock, veil stock, or even vegetable broth. Whatever you prefer!
- Mint or parsley:You’ll need just a tablespoon or so to top the soup with! Don’t skip this, it adds tons of freshness and color!
![Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3) Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)](https://i0.wp.com/littlespicejar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mini-Moroccan-Meatball-Soup-3-710x1065.jpg)
![Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4) Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)](https://i0.wp.com/littlespicejar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mini-Moroccan-Meatball-Soup-4-710x1065.jpg)
How to make Moroccan couscous soup
- Start with the meatballs.Get the oven preheating. While that’s happening, stir together the spices in a bowl, when they’re combined, add the ground lamb and tomato paste and combine. You don’t want to overwork the meat but you do want to ensure that the mixture is thoroughly combined. Scoop out a teaspoon of the meatball mixture and form a ball in the palm of your hands. I use a melon baller or a mini cookie scoop to measure them out; it’s the perfect size! Then place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them until they cook through and brown.
- Make couscous.While the meatballs are baking, saute the couscous in a glug of oil, season with a pinch of salt and add water and bring to a boil. When the couscous is boiling, cover, lower the heat and allow the couscous to soak up all the water.
- Make Moroccan meatball soup.In a large soup pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil and saute the shallots in the oil until they start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until it’s nice and fragrant. Add the chicken broth with a couple of cups of water and bring it to a boil. When the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low, add the cooked meatballs and the couscous and allow them to simmer in the soup for a few minutes so that the flavor meld together. Taste and adjust the soup with more seasonings. I usually like to add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of curry powder, but this is purely optional. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with chopped mint or parsley and serve warm with lots of crusty bread to soak up that broth!
![Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5) Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)](https://i0.wp.com/littlespicejar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mini-Moroccan-Meatball-Soup-7-710x1065.jpg)
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
- Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
- Winter Detox Sweet Potato Soup
- Comforting One-Pot Lasagna Soup
- Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup
- Cajun Butternut Squash Soup
![Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6) Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)](https://i0.wp.com/littlespicejar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mini-Moroccan-Meatball-Soup-8-710x1065.jpg)
Original recipe shared March 2015, updated with new images and post Jan 2023.
Yield: 6-8 servings
Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Mini Moroccan meatball couscous soup starts with a flavorful broth spiced with Moroccan flavors with meatballs and pearl couscous This soup is so warm and comforting. It can be made with ground lamb or beef that is seasoned and baked. The pearl couscous pairs beautifully and makes this soup so rich and comforting!
Ingredients
Moroccan Meatballs:
- 1 teaspoon EACH: ground coriander AND ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon EACH: dried thyme AND curry powder (+ more)
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: ground turmeric AND chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon EACH: ground cinnamon AND nutmeg
- Kosher salt + black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 ½ lbs. ground lamb or beef
Couscous Soup:
- 8 ounces pearl couscous
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more
- 3 shallots, minced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 ¾ cups water
- Chopped mint or parsley, for topping
Instructions
- MAKE MEATBALLS: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the spices for the meatball, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix with a spoon, then add the tomato paste and ground meat and mix until *just* combined. Scoop about 1 teaspoon of the meatball mixture and form a ball, place on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake meatballs for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
- COUSCOUS: While the meatballs bake, heat a small drizzle of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the couscous and allow it to toast for 1-2 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when you smell it all toasty. Add a pinch of salt and 1 ¾ cups of water. Allow it to come to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and let cook for 8-10 minutes or until it absorbs all the water.
- SOUP: In a large soup pot or dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes before adding the garlic and sautéing for another 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth along with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and add the meatballs and couscous; let simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust with seasonings as desired. I usually add another 1/4 teaspoon of curry powder Top with mint or parsley before serving.
Notes
IB: Williams Sonoma
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1/8th of recipe
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 377Total Fat: 23gCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gProtein: 27g
The nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is just an estimate. To get the most accurate information, please input the ingredients you've used into a nutrition calculator.
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Dinner Fall Lunch beef comfort food cumin curry powder israeli couscous lamb meatball soup meatballs Moroccan pearl couscous
published on Jan 30, 2023
31 comments Leave a comment »
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31 comments on “Mini Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup”
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Lokness — Reply
These flavors sound amazing! I love Israel couscous. They are a good bite to them. Perfect for a soup like this. I need to try this!
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Thalia @ butter and brioche — Reply
I love all the spices of Morroccon food.. so I can imagine that I would definitely love this meatball and cous cous soup. It looks so comforting, warming & hearty. Just how I like my soups!
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Yhudis New — Reply
Made this soup and it was a HUGE hit from young to old! Thank you!!!
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Celeste — Reply
Made this soup and it was excellent. I used homemade chicken broth and added a bag of organic baby spinach. Sooo good! Thank you
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Marzia — Reply
Yum! Love adding extra greens in, great idea! Thanks.
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rosewithoutthorns — Reply
Hi Marzia!
I’d love to include your moroccan meatball couscous soup in a soup roundup I’m doing for Parade Magazine. If you’re fine with that, could I use one of your gorgeous photos with a link back to your original post [redacted]
Let me know!
Thanks so much! -
Jackie — Reply
This looks so good, does it freeze well?
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Diana — Reply
where do I find Israel couscous? Is it the same as the stuff in pasta box like creamette?
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Marzia — Reply
My grocery store keeps the Israeli couscous near the rice instead of the pasta. Trader Joes also carries it in a purple box. Hope that helps!
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3msolomons — Reply
I just made this soup tonight and my family said its a keeper. Love the idea of adding spinach.
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Marzia — Reply
Haven’t tried it myself but yes, think it should work out just fine 🙂
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TJ — Reply
Looks amazing! Delicious combination I am just going to use tonight with veg broth & Veggie Balls ( bought frozen from IKEA ❤) instead of chicken broth & meat balls as we are vegetarian but love the idea. And like spices & adding some greens.
Sure it will be mouth watering
Thanks -
Barbara Miller — Reply
Made this as a salad, I substituted veggie beef crumbles for the lamb, lamb was $6/lb., then I used the same spices for the salad,I also put in onions garlic, green peppres, cucumbers, and romatoes, tasted great, I used a regular oil/vinegar base for the salad,and I put in feta cheese.
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Denise — Reply
Made this recipe and loved it! Added shredded parmesean cheese to the meatballs. Fresh spinach and portabella mushrooms to the soup. Servwd with garlic bread. A real winner for cold rainy days.
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Becca — Reply
Made this soup the other night. I used ground turkey for the meatballs but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. It is SO flavorful and I love how easy it was to make! Thanks for posting!!
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Tom Rittenhouse — Reply
THANK YOU for this recipe. The depth of flavors are explosive and incredibly delicious!! Will be making this again and again. 🙂
5
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Rebecca — Reply
This recipe looks amazing, but just wondering how spicey it is? My husband and I both love spice and my daughters do in small amount. Think this would be a great meal for us all to share, however worried about it being too spicey for my girls.
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Carley — Reply
There is zero heat in this soup. I’ve made it on many occasions and my 4 and 5yo sons eat it without complaint. Now, if you are speaking about flavor- this soup is flavorful. But, not it an off putting way. I plan on making a triple batch for Christmas Eve. This is an excellent way to get kids to try different flavors. Meatballs aren’t scary.
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Anya — Reply
Marzia, thank you again for sharing this wonderful recipe with us! Almost every recipe I followed from your site is absolutely delicious and easy to make. After I cook one dish I can’t wait to try another one. I made this soup with beef and turkey ( the only meat I had at home) and we still loved it. It was even more flavorful next day. Thank you! ;0)
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Kori May — Reply
Recently made this soup and HOLY CRAP is it delicious!!! 100% will make again and again!!
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Jill — Reply
I used an 80/20 ground beef mixture…wondering if I should add the fat runoff from the meatballs or not??
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Deb — Reply
This recipe was very good, flavor and ease of recipe. I will definitely make it again
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Steph — Reply
The flavor was great! Don’t let the simplicity of the broth throw you off. The soup takes on the flavor of the meatballs. HOWEVER, 8oz of couscous is half a pound! Which is WAY too much couscous. If you’re referring to 8oz, as in 1 cup, then I think that will be more clear. I also added spinach which was great…
4
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Linda E — Reply
This was a great soup, but due to time constraints I made a big modification. I did not make meatballs, I just massaged the spices and tomato paste into the meat and the browned it in a skillet, breaking it up. It saved a ton of time and it was still delicious!
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Cristianna — Reply
This recipe is a keeper! I smoked the meatballs on the Traeger before adding them to the soup, and added spinach as others have mentioned. It’s SO delicious!
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Marisol greenlee — Reply
This recipe is the perfect to welcome fall. I did exactly what you said and added more curry at the end. I also added spinach. Definite crowd pleaser. I was skeptical with the lack of broth ingredients, but after adding the meatballs, their spices melted into the soup. Delicious!
4.5
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Sylvie — Reply
This dish was a hit. Everyone enjoyed it.
What vegetable would you suggest to add to the soup ?
Allo are you adding 1 3/4 cups or 3/4 cups of broth.
It took more than 8-10 minutes to evaporate all the liquid. By then my couscous was over cooked. -
Andee — Reply
Holy moly!! This is possibly my favorite soup of all time…and I did a quick version! I’m sure the full thing is even better. I used frozen meatballs and just put the spices into the broth. Packed full of flavor, I’m already craving it again. I will def try this with homemade meatballs next time and I think lamb would be phenomenal!
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Harlan — Reply
Could this be made with ground turkey or ground chicken?