Description
This Beef Kofta Bake is a hearty and flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring spiced ground beef patties baked with fresh tomatoes and onions. Perfect for an easy and satisfying main course, it pairs beautifully with rice, couscous, or flatbread.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Kofta
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion (grated or finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Bake
- 2 medium tomatoes (sliced)
- 1 small red onion (sliced)
- 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare kofta mixture: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine all kofta ingredients: ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a spoon until well combined and evenly seasoned.
- Shape the koftas: Shape the mixture into small oval or log-shaped patties, approximately 2–3 inches long, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Arrange in baking dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray. Arrange the koftas in a single layer. Place the sliced tomatoes and red onion on top of and around the koftas.
- Add liquids and oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the koftas and vegetables, then pour the beef or vegetable broth into the bottom of the baking dish to keep the koftas moist during cooking.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to cook through and allow the flavors to meld.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the koftas are cooked completely and lightly browned on the outside.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot alongside rice, couscous, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can prepare the kofta mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking to deepen the flavors.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the kofta mixture.
- For a more traditional Middle Eastern flavor, substitute ground lamb or use a mixture of lamb and beef.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking dish to allow proper cooking and browning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
