Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (2024)

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Plain old meatloaf gets a major flavor boost in a lamb and beef meatloaf recipe with Moroccan-inspired spices, plus a sweet and savory ketchup and pomegranate molasses topping.

By

Elise Bauer

Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

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Updated November 28, 2022

Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (2)

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Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (3)

If you like lamb, you will love this Moroccan meatloaf! If you don't like lamb, I'm willing to bet this meatloaf will convert you.

This meatloaf is superb — flavored with classic Moroccan spices with speckles of cilantro and mint. You can top it with a simple pomegranate molasses sauce, or skip the topping all together.

This recipe is an adaptation of a recipe for Moroccan Meatloaf in the Niman Ranch Cookbook from Chef Monica Pope, of T'Afia in Houston, Texas.

Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (4)

I've made it a few times over the years and have recently changed up the spice mix and the topping a bit from the original recipe. Rather than using curry powder, which the original recipe called for (and which is unusual in Moroccan cuisine), I've opted for some coriander and a little more cinnamon.

I've simplified the sauce from the original, which included chipotle in adobo. I now just mix some ketchup and pomegranate molasses together in a 2:1 ratio and add a little chipotle chili powder. It's delicious, and works perfectly with the meatloaf. Again, you can omit the sauce if you want.

Spiced Lamb Meatloaf

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time105 mins

Total Time2 hrs 5 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

A mini-chopper or food processor works well to finely chop the carrot, celery, and onion.

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb

  • 1 pound ground beef

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped

  • 1 large celery stalk, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)

  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger(3-inch piece)

  • 1 1/4 teaspoonskosher salt (or a teaspoon ofsea salt)

  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Pinch saffron threads

  • 1 cup dried breadcrumbs

  • 2 eggs

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

Pomegranate molasses sauce:

  • 1/2 cup ketchup

  • 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses

  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder,more to taste

Method

  1. Preheat the oven:

    Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Combine the meats:

    In a large bowl, combine the lamb and beef. Set aside.

  3. Sauté the onions, carrot, celery, garlic:

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (5)

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (6)

    Add the salt, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, ground coriander, cayenne, pepper, and saffron. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to release the flavors. Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes.

  4. Make the meatloaf mixture:

    Stir the vegetables into the ground meat. Mix in the breadcrumbs, eggs, cilantro, and mint.

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (7)

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (8)

  5. Place mixture into a loaf pan:

    Pack meatloaf mixture into a 5- x9-inch or 4- x8-inch loaf pan. If using a 4- x8-inch pan, you'll need to mound the mixture high in the pan. Set the loaf pan in a baking pan. Pour about 1/2 inch of hot water into the baking pan so it comes up the sides of the loaf pan a bit.

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (9)

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (10)

  6. Bake:

    Bake the meatloaf for 1 1/2 hours, or until firm and cooked through. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Un-mold onto a plate and slice.

    Serve with pomegranate molasses sauce, ketchup, or just the drippings from the meatloaf itself. Very good served with rice pilaf.

  7. Make the (optional) pomegranate molasses sauce:

    Mix the ketchup, pomegranate molasses, and chipotle chili powder in a small bowl. Heat in a microwave or warm in a saucepan until just warm.

  • Meatloaf
  • Easy Family Dinners
  • Ground Beef
  • Ground Lamb
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
605Calories
38g Fat
16g Carbs
48g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories605
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g48%
Saturated Fat 14g70%
Cholesterol 207mg69%
Sodium 606mg26%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 2g7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 48g
Vitamin C 3mg17%
Calcium 97mg7%
Iron 5mg28%
Potassium 791mg17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Spiced Lamb Meatloaf Jazzes Up a Classic Dinner Recipe (2024)

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