This Beef Kofta Bake recipe takes all of the traditional goodness of kofta and kicks it up a notch with smoky paprika and spicy jalapeños. Plus, we’ve made it even easier to make by skipping the skewers and cooking everything over a bed of nutritious veggies. It’s a mouthwatering blend of savory spices, tender beef, and wholesome vegetables that will have everyone asking for more!
What Is Beef Kofta Bake?
Traditional beef kofta is a popular dish in the Middle East and India. It combines ground beef with warm spices and is skewered and grilled, similar to a kabob.
For this recipe, we turned the classic dish into a more hands-off baked version that requires only a few minutes of prep. Instead of skewering and grilling the meat, we make simple meatballs that are baked with an array of veggies all in one dish. It’s a complete meal that’s as absolutely delicious as it is easy!
Ingredients You Need
- Zucchinis – Zucchinis add a pop of color and healthy nutrients to the kofta bake.
- Medium potatoes – We love using potatoes to make this dish nice and hearty. Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are good options but you can use red potatoes, too.
- Large carrot – Carrots add a bit of natural sweetness. Plus, they still retain a little crunchiness which adds texture to the bake.
- Large red onion– Red onions bring a nice savory kick to the kofta bake — plus they add bright color!
- Garlic cloves – Garlic gives the kofta an aromatic punch that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your kofta bake taste incredible.
- Canned diced tomatoes – These tomatoes add a tangy twist to your kofta.
- Salt – Salt brings out the best in all your ingredients. Be sure to divide it ahead of time for adding to the veggies first, then to the beef.
- Pepper – Pepper adds a little kick without being overwhelming. Also measure it out separately so that it’s ready to be added to the vegetables and meat.
- Smoked paprika – This is where the smoky magic happens! Smoked paprika gives your kofta a rich, earthy flavor.
- Olive oil – A drizzle of olive oil adds a bit of flavor and heart-healthy fat.
- Ground beef – The star of the show! Ground beef is what makes your kofta hearty and satisfying.
- Chopped parsley – Parsley adds a pop of freshness and color.
- Chopped cilantro – Cilantro brings a bright, citrusy note to the kofta. It’s that extra layer of flavor that makes it irresistible.
- Jalapeño – These little peppers add just the right amount of heat to your kofta without overpowering the other flavors.
- Large egg – The egg is the binder that keeps everything together. It ensures your kofta meatballs stay perfectly formed while cooking.
- Breadcrumbs – These crumbs do wonders for texture. They absorb excess moisture and give your kofta that tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
How To Whip Up This Easy Beef Kofta Bake
- Combine the veggies and seasoning. Add the zucchini, potatoes, carrots, red onion, garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, and paprika to a large baking dish.
- Toss. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with a portion of the salt and pepper, then toss until all of the ingredients are coated.
- Mix the beef and seasonings. Place the ground beef, parsley, cilantro, jalapeño, egg, breadcrumbs, and remaining salt and pepper in a separate bowl. With your hands or a wooden spoon, combine the ingredients together.
- Form. Make the meatballs and add them to the baking dish.
- Bake. Once all of the meatballs have been formed and placed in the dish, cover it with aluminum foil and bake.
- Remove. When the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked, remove the dish from the oven.
- Rest and serve. Let the meatballs rest briefly before serving.
Ways to Switch Up Beef Kofta Bake
- Squash – Instead of zucchini, try adding squash. The texture will stay the same but it will add bright yellow color to the dish.
- Tomatoes – Swap out the canned variety for fresh, small grape tomatoes.
- Cilantro – If you don’t enjoy the taste of cilantro, try using Thai basil or more parsley.
- Heat – Want more spicy flavor? Increase the amount of jalapenos or sprinkle in some cayenne pepper powder.
Can I Store Leftovers?
What we love about this easy bake (outside of how delicious it is!) is that it’s easy to store which makes it perfect for
Store the kofta bake in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat in the oven or in the microwave.
Transfer the meat and veggies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag and store for up to 3 months. You can thaw it overnight in the fridge or just heat it straight from the freezer.
More Beefy Recipes
Want more beefy goodness in your recipe repertoire? Check out more of our easy and hearty beef recipes!
Middle Eastern Crockpot Beef Stew
Beef Kofta Bake
Equipment
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
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large baking dish, toss together the sliced zucchinis, quartered potatoes, sliced carrot, quartered red onion, garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, smoked paprika, and olive oil until the vegetables are evenly coated.2 zucchinis, 2 medium potatoes, 1 large carrot, 1 large red onion, 10 garlic cloves, 1 can, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- In a separate bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, seeded jalapeño, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, remaining 1/4 tsp pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix until well combined.1 pound ground beef, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 jalapeño, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Form the beef mixture into balls and place them on top of the vegetable mixture in the baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
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