The filling, flavoursome one-pan lamb feast

Spice up your weeknight

A one-pan wonder sure to spice up any weeknight, this easy recipe delivers big flavours with little washing up – the ultimate win-win.

North African Lamb Meatballs with Couscous

Prep: 20 minutes 

Cook: 35 minutes 

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 500g lamb mince
• 1 1/2 tbsp harissa Middle Eastern spice blend
• 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind, plus lemon wedges to serve
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup couscous
• 1 2/3 cups boiling water
• 285g jar whole piquillo peppers, drained, sliced (see notes)
• 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 2/3 cup plain Greek-style yoghurt
• 4 Lebanese bread rounds, to serve

North African Lamb Meatballs with Couscous

Tomato salsa

• 250g cherry tomatoes, quartered 
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

Method:

Step 1 - Preheat the oven to 200c °c/180c °c fan-forced. Place the mince, harissa, coriander, mint, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon rind and juice in a bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Using clean hands, mix well to combine, then shape the mixture into 12 balls.

Step 2 - Place meatballs on a well-greased 4cm-deep, 22cm x 30cm baking tray. Drizzle with oil, then bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until browned. Sprinkle couscous around meatballs. Add boiling water, then arrange peppers and zucchini around the meatballs. Bake for a further 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the couscous has absorbed all the liquid.

Step 3 - Meanwhile, make the tomato salsa by placing the tomato, onion, lemon juice and oil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, add mint and toss to combine. Spoon salsa over the meatballs on a tray. Serve immediately with yoghurt, bread and extra lemon wedges.

Originally published as The filling, flavoursome one-pan lamb feast