Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking. Prepare the vegetable base and place it in the baking dish, then mix and form the kofta. Store both components separately in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, place the kofta on top of the vegetables and bake as directed, adding about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time since everything will be cold.

How do I know when the kofta is fully cooked?

The kofta should reach an internal temperature of 160°F when tested with a meat thermometer. If you don't have a thermometer, cut one open - it should be completely brown throughout with no pink remaining, and the juices should run clear.

Can I make this dish with ground chicken or turkey instead?

Yes! Ground poultry works well as a substitute for beef. Since poultry is leaner, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the meat mixture to keep it moist. You may also want to reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes, as ground poultry tends to cook faster than beef.

My family doesn't like spicy food. Can I leave out the jalapeño?

Definitely! You can omit the jalapeño entirely for a milder dish. For a hint of flavor without the heat, you could substitute a small amount of bell pepper or add a teaspoon of paprika to the meat mixture instead.

Beef Kofta Bake Recipe

Name: Beef Kofta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Middle-Eastern
Ingredients: 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; 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

Description

A comforting and hearty dish that brings together flavorful spiced beef kofta and roasted vegetables baked to perfection. This one-pan meal is easy to prepare and is packed with delicious, savory goodness, making it a perfect family dinner option.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the 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
1 teaspoon salt (divided)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (divided)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon olive oil

For the 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

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it reaches the perfect temperature before you bake the dish.
Prep the Vegetables
In a large baking dish, toss together the sliced zucchinis, quartered potatoes, sliced carrot, quartered red onion, garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, smoked paprika, and olive oil. Mix until the vegetables are evenly coated and spread them out evenly in the baking dish.
Prepare the Kofta Mixture
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, seeded and finely diced jalapeño, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix well with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a cohesive mixture.
Shape and Add Kofta
Form the beef mixture into small to medium-sized balls and place them evenly on top of the vegetable mixture in the baking dish.
Bake the Dish
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes. The beef should be fully cooked, and the vegetables should be tender and roasted to perfection.

Notes

Tips for Even Cooking: Ensure the vegetables are cut into similar-sized pieces, so they cook uniformly.
Spice Preference: For extra heat, you can keep the seeds in the jalapeño.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the kofta mixture in advance and store it in the fridge overnight.
Serving Suggestion: Pair this dish with warm pita bread or a side of rice for a complete meal.
Vegetable Variations: Feel free to substitute or add favorite vegetables such as bell peppers or eggplant for variety.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 280kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 75mg