Matazeez Calories 🍲
Calculate matazeez calories for Saudi servings. Hearty handmade pasta in spiced meat and vegetable stew — full nutrition breakdown and portion guide.
What Is Matazeez?
Matazeez (Arabic: مطازيز) is a traditional Saudi and Gulf dish made from small, flat pieces of handmade dough (similar to thick pasta or dumplings) cooked in a rich stew of lamb, vegetables and spices. The dough pieces are pinched into small flat circles and cooked directly in the stew broth, absorbing the flavours of lamb, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin and a blend of Saudi spices (bezar or baharat). Matazeez is a Najd region comfort food particularly popular in the winter months and at family gatherings. It is relatively lower in calories than pure rice dishes because the pasta-vegetable ratio reduces overall calorie density.
Calories at a Glance
| Portion | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small bowl | 300g | 360–430 kcal |
| Standard bowl | 400g | 470–560 kcal |
| Full serving (generous) | 500g | 580–680 kcal |
| Dough pieces only | 150g cooked | 210–260 kcal |
| Per 100g (mixed) | 100g | ~155 kcal |
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your portion size in grams. CalorieMetrica will estimate calories, protein, carbohydrates and fat. Values vary by recipe, oil quantity, cooking method and serving size. Use these as a practical guide.
Matazeez — Calorie and Nutrition Breakdown (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Daily % (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 155 kcal | 8% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 8% |
| Fat | 5g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 11% |
Calories by Portion Size
| Portion | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small bowl | 300g | 360–430 kcal |
| Standard bowl | 400g | 470–560 kcal |
| Full serving (generous) | 500g | 580–680 kcal |
| Dough pieces only | 150g cooked | 210–260 kcal |
| Per 100g (mixed) | 100g | ~155 kcal |
Calories by Preparation Method
Matazeez made with lean lamb or chicken broth is lower in calories than versions using fatty lamb shoulder or mutton. The dough is made from flour and water with no added oil — calories from the dough are primarily from starch. The stew's calorie count depends on the quantity of lamb and cooking oil used for tempering spices.
Matazeez for Weight Loss
Matazeez is one of the more vegetable-forward traditional Saudi dishes, which helps lower its calorie density. The combination of vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes), lean meat and pasta in a single bowl creates good satiety. For weight loss, choose lean lamb or chicken, increase the vegetable proportion, and limit the flour-dough portions to one serving bowl (300–350g).
Matazeez for Muscle Gain
Matazeez provides carbohydrates from the pasta dough and protein from the lamb and broth. For muscle-building purposes, it works best with a generous lean lamb portion (150–200g) to boost protein content. Adding chickpeas to the stew is a traditional variation that significantly increases protein and fibre content.
Smart Comparison
Matazeez is similar in calorie density to harees but with a chunkier texture. It is lower in calories per bowl than kabsa or mandi because the vegetable content dilutes the overall calorie density. Among traditional Saudi stew dishes (matazeez, qursan, margoog), all three are relatively lower in calories than the Saudi rice dishes.
Portion Control Advice
A 350–400g bowl of matazeez is a typical single serving. The stew base makes the dish very filling — one bowl is usually sufficient for most adults. Avoid adding extra bread to soak up the stew if you are watching calorie intake.
Practical Eating Tips
Matazeez is best eaten warm as a complete one-pot meal. The vegetable content makes it nutritionally balanced without needing side dishes. Add a simple salad if desired. Avoid eating alongside rice as a double-carbohydrate meal at the same sitting.
Common Mistakes
Adding tamees bread or rice alongside matazeez is a common practice that significantly increases the carbohydrate and calorie load of the meal. Eating from a communal pot without measuring can lead to consuming 600+ kcal in one sitting. Using excessive cooking oil for tempering spices is the main hidden calorie source.
Burn This Food — Activity Equivalents
A standard serving (~520 kcal) requires approximately:
| Activity | Approx. Duration |
|---|---|
| Brisk Walking | ~95 min |
| Jogging | ~58 min |
| Swimming | ~65 min |
| Cycling | ~74 min |
Burn times vary by body weight, fitness level and exercise intensity.
Health Considerations
Matazeez contains vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin) that provide vitamins A, C and potassium. The lamb provides iron and zinc. The handmade pasta dough is a simple, whole-food carbohydrate source. People with gluten intolerance cannot eat traditional matazeez, but gluten-free flour alternatives can be used for the dough. The stew's sodium content depends on added salt and stock — modifiable for people managing blood pressure.
Healthy Alternative Tips
Lower Calorie Option: Open the Full Food Detail to see smart lower-calorie swaps tailored to your goal.
Higher Protein Option: Grilled Chicken Saudi or Chicken Kebab Saudi for a leaner, protein-rich alternative.
Smarter Swap: Use the Food Compare tool to compare Matazeez side-by-side with other Saudi foods.
Related Tools
FAQs
How many calories in matazeez?
A standard bowl of matazeez (400–500g) contains approximately 470–680 calories depending on lamb, oil and portion size.
What is matazeez made of?
Matazeez is small handmade flat dough pieces cooked in a spiced lamb and vegetable stew (tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin, onions and bezar spice blend).
Is matazeez good for weight loss?
Yes — the high vegetable content reduces calorie density compared to Saudi rice dishes. A controlled bowl (350g) runs 470–520 kcal.
Where is matazeez most popular?
Matazeez is most popular in the Najd region of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh and central Saudi Arabia.
Is matazeez gluten-free?
No — traditional matazeez uses wheat flour for the dough. Gluten-free alternatives are possible but change the texture.
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and Saudi recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredients and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.