Moroccan · Main course
Kefta Tagine (Moroccan Meatballs in Tomato with Eggs)
Kefta mkaouara is one of Morocco's most-loved quick tagines: spiced beef or lamb meatballs simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce brightened with cumin and paprika, with eggs cracked in at the end to poach in the bubbling sauce. It arrives spitting hot in the tagine, eaten straight from the dish with bread.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 60 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 500 g minced beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, grated, and 2 tbsp chopped parsley and coriander
- 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, pinch cayenne, salt and pepper (for the meat)
- For the sauce: 1 onion finely chopped, 3 garlic cloves crushed, 700 g blended tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, pinch cayenne (for the sauce)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 eggs
- Chopped coriander, to finish
Method
- 1
Make the meatballs
Mix the mince with grated onion, herbs and the meatball spices, then roll into small walnut-sized balls.
- 2
Start the sauce
In the tagine or a wide pan, soften the chopped onion and garlic in the oil, add the sauce spices for 30 seconds, then pour in the blended tomatoes. Season and simmer 10 minutes.
- 3
Simmer the meatballs
Nestle the meatballs into the sauce, cover and simmer gently 15–20 minutes, turning once, until cooked through and the sauce is thick.
- 4
Poach the eggs
Make small wells in the sauce and crack in the eggs. Cover and cook a few minutes until the whites set but the yolks stay soft.
- 5
Serve
Scatter with coriander and serve bubbling in the tagine, with plenty of bread to scoop meatballs, sauce and egg.
Chef's tips
- Keep the meatballs small so they cook through in the sauce without drying out.
- Don't over-reduce before adding the eggs — you want enough sauce for them to poach in.
- Cover the pan while the eggs set so the tops cook without the yolks going hard.
Frequently asked questions
What does mkaouara mean?
Mkaouara (or mkawra) refers to the dish of kefta meatballs cooked in a rich tomato sauce, typically finished with poached eggs. It is a staple quick tagine across Morocco.
Can I make kefta tagine without eggs?
Yes, the meatballs in tomato sauce are delicious on their own. The eggs are traditional and add richness, but you can leave them out or add them only to some portions.