Description
This Beef Kofta Bake is a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal featuring spiced ground beef meatballs baked with a medley of roasted vegetables and diced tomatoes. Infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and a hint of smoked paprika, this recipe delivers a comforting balance of savory and smoky flavors, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 zucchinis, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 large red onion, quartered
- 10 garlic cloves
- 1 can (16 ounces) diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Kofta Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large baking dish, combine the sliced zucchinis, quartered potatoes, sliced carrot, quartered red onion, and whole garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with half the salt and pepper, and smoked paprika. Toss everything to coat evenly.
- Make the Kofta Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, finely diced jalapeño, egg, breadcrumbs, remaining salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated but do not overwork to keep meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the beef mixture into meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the formed kofta meatballs evenly on top of the prepared vegetables in the baking dish.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour the entire can of diced tomatoes over the vegetables and meatballs, ensuring even coverage. This will create a flavorful sauce as everything bakes.
- Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the kofta meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Stir gently halfway through baking to coat everything with the tomato sauce.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve warm as a complete meal or with a side of rice or flatbread.
Notes
- You can substitute ground lamb for beef for a richer flavor.
- Breadcrumbs can be replaced with ground oats for a gluten-free option.
- If you prefer spicier kofta, include the seeds of the jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven.
- For extra smoky flavor, you can use smoked paprika or add a small amount of chipotle powder.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
