Cheesy Beef Kofta Bake with Tomatoes
Cheesy Beef Kofta Bake with Tomatoes
Ingredients
For the Beef Kofta
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 onion, finely grated or minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika, smoked
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Tomato Sauce and Topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 28-ounce can canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped mint, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed, but do not overmix.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Form the beef mixture into small, oblong kofta shapes, about 2 inches long and 1 inch thick. You should get about 16-20 kofta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Pour about half of the tomato sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Arrange the kofta in a single layer over the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the kofta. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then scatter the halved cherry tomatoes over the cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the kofta are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden brown. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 160°F (71°C).
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Beef Kofta Bake with Tomatoes
For the Beef Kofta
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 onion, finely grated or minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika, smoked
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Tomato Sauce and Topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 28-ounce can canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped mint, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed, but do not overmix.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Form the beef mixture into small, oblong kofta shapes, about 2 inches long and 1 inch thick. You should get about 16-20 kofta.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Pour about half of the tomato sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Arrange the kofta in a single layer over the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the kofta. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then scatter the halved cherry tomatoes over the cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the kofta are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden brown. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 160°F (71°C).
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 5 min