Description
This Beef Kofta Bake recipe combines flavorful ground beef koftas with a hearty mix of roasted vegetables in a savory tomato sauce. The dish is baked to perfection, making it a comforting and wholesome meal perfect for family dinners. With aromatic herbs, spices, and a touch of heat from jalapeño, this recipe delivers a balanced and satisfying dish that is easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Sauce
- 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
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Kofta
- 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 Vegetables: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large baking dish, combine sliced zucchinis, quartered potatoes, sliced carrot, quartered red onion, and whole garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with half of the salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Toss to coat evenly.
- Roast Vegetables: Place the baking dish in the oven and roast for about 30-35 minutes, or until vegetables start to become tender and lightly browned.
- Make Tomato Sauce: While vegetables roast, stir the canned diced tomatoes with the remaining salt and pepper in a separate bowl; set aside.
- Prepare Kofta Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, diced jalapeño, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly but gently until fully incorporated.
- Form Koftas: Shape the beef mixture into small, oval meatballs (koftas) about the size of a golf ball.
- Add Sauce and Koftas: Remove roasted vegetables from oven. Pour the diced tomato mixture over the vegetables, then nestle the koftas on top of the vegetable and tomato mixture evenly.
- Bake the Kofta Bake: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the koftas are cooked through (internal temperature reaching 160°F) and the sauce is bubbling.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and juices to settle.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a richer flavor.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the koftas, but gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used for a gluten-free version.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity according to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Leftover kofta bake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- Serve with a side of rice, couscous, or warm flatbread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
