Description
A flavorful and hearty Middle Eastern-inspired Beef Kofta Bake combining spiced ground beef meatballs with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and feta cheeses, baked to perfection and garnished with fresh tomatoes and parsley. Perfect for a comforting main course served with pita, rice, or couscous.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Kofta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, finely grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Toppings
- 1 cup marinara sauce or tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a small baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Kofta Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape Kofta: Form the beef mixture into small oval-shaped kofta or meatballs, making sure they are uniform in size for even cooking. Arrange them evenly spaced in the baking dish.
- Initial Bake: Drizzle olive oil evenly over the kofta, then place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes to start cooking the meat.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and pour the marinara or tomato sauce evenly over the kofta. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and crumbled feta cheese on top of everything.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted beautifully and the kofta are fully cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh parsley for freshness and color. Serve hot with warm pita bread, rice, or couscous.
Notes
- Serve with warm pita bread, rice, or couscous for a complete meal.
- For extra heat and flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes to the beef mixture before shaping.
- You can substitute ground lamb or use a mixture of lamb and beef for a more traditional kofta flavor.
- Ensure the kofta are cooked through by checking for internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) if desired.
