Description
This One-Pan Lebanese Kafta recipe features flavorful ground beef or lamb patties seasoned with aromatic spices and herbs, seared to perfection, and roasted alongside fresh vegetables. It’s a wholesome and hearty Mediterranean dish that’s simple to make, ideal for family dinners, and can be served over rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Kafta Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Serving Suggestion (Optional)
- 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the kafta and vegetables.
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or lamb with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape Kafta: Form the spiced meat mixture into oval-shaped patties about 1 inch thick, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Sear Kafta: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the kafta patties and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a nice brown crust.
- Add Vegetables: Push the seared kafta to one side of the skillet. Arrange the sliced bell pepper, zucchini, and halved cherry tomatoes around the meat.
- Season Veggies: Drizzle the vegetables lightly with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the kafta is fully cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Optionally, serve the kafta patties and roasted vegetables over cooked rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for added freshness and vibrant color before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a richer flavor.
- Ensure uniform size and thickness of kafta patties to cook evenly.
- For a vegetarian option, try substituting kafta with plant-based meat alternatives and follow the same cooking steps.
- The vegetables can be varied according to preference; eggplant or mushrooms can be excellent additions.
- Leftover kafta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
