Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe combines traditional Lebanese spices with a convenient one-pan cooking method, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor. The kafta patties are tender and fragrant, and roasting the vegetables alongside them adds vibrant colors and textures. Pair it with rice or quinoa for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 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
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa (optional)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, mix ground beef or lamb with onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Shape Kafta: Form the mixture into oval-shaped patties about 1 inch thick.
- Sear Kafta: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add kafta patties and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until nicely browned.
- Add Vegetables: Move the kafta to one side of the skillet. Arrange bell pepper slices, zucchini slices, and cherry tomatoes around the meat.
- Season Veggies: Drizzle the vegetables lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the kafta is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve: Optionally serve the kafta and roasted vegetables over cooked rice or quinoa.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for added freshness and color.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Variations
- Swap ground beef or lamb for ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
- Add chopped mint or dill to the meat mixture for a fresh herbal note.
- Toss in other vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms with the bell peppers and zucchini.
- Use pomegranate molasses drizzled over the dish before serving for a sweet and tangy contrast.
- For a gluten-free option, serve with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
Storage/Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the oven until warmed through.
- Do not freeze cooked kafta patties as texture may change; however, you can freeze uncooked shaped patties for later use.
FAQs
Can I prepare kafta patties ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the patties and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
What can I substitute for ground lamb?
Ground beef, turkey, or chicken are good substitutes based on preference.
How do I know when kafta is fully cooked?
The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C), and patties should no longer be pink inside.
Can I cook the kafta without an oven?
Yes, you can finish cooking the patties and vegetables in the skillet over low heat with a lid.
Are there vegetarian alternatives?
You can use seasoned lentil or chickpea patties with similar spices as a plant-based version.
What side dishes pair well?
Rice, quinoa, tabbouleh, or a fresh salad complement this dish well.
Can I freeze cooked kafta?
It’s best to freeze uncooked patties to preserve texture; cooked kafta may become dry after freezing and reheating.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has mild spice; add chili flakes or hot sauce to the meat mixture if you prefer heat.
How can I make it more flavorful?
Fresh herbs, garlic, and the blend of warm spices create authentic flavor; marinating the meat mixture for 30 minutes enhances taste.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?
Yes, diced fresh tomatoes work well; just add them later in the baking time to avoid overcooking.
Conclusion
One-Pan Lebanese Kafta is a wonderfully flavorful, fuss-free dish that combines spiced meat patties with tender roasted vegetables. Its simple preparation and bold Middle Eastern flavors make it a fantastic choice for a satisfying family dinner or weeknight meal. Whether served with grains or enjoyed on its own, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Print
One-Pan Lebanese Kafta: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe
- Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of Lebanese cuisine with this simple yet delicious one-pan kafta dish. Juicy spiced meat patties are cooked alongside fresh vegetables, making it a perfect, hassle-free meal full of wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
- 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
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, mix ground beef or lamb with onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Shape Kafta: Form the mixture into oval-shaped patties about 1 inch thick.
- Sear Kafta: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add kafta patties and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until nicely browned.
- Add Vegetables: Move the kafta to one side of the skillet. Arrange bell pepper slices, zucchini slices, and cherry tomatoes around the meat.
- Season Veggies: Drizzle the vegetables lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the kafta is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve: Optionally serve the kafta and roasted vegetables over cooked rice or quinoa.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Swap ground beef or lamb for ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
- Add chopped mint or dill to the meat mixture for a fresh herbal note.
- Toss in other vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms with the bell peppers and zucchini.
- Use pomegranate molasses drizzled over the dish before serving for a sweet and tangy contrast.
- For a gluten-free option, serve with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Searing, Roasting
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
