A beloved and hearty Arabic dish, Kofta with Tomato Sauce combines spiced ground beef with a rich, aromatic tomato sauce. It’s a perfect homemade lunch, easy to prepare, and ideal for family gatherings. Serve with white rice, Arabic bread, or fries.
Cooking Time:
60 minutes
Serves:
4 people
Ingredients:
For the Kofta:
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Ground beef: 500 grams (with ~20% fat)
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Onion: 1 medium (finely chopped)
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Parsley: ½ cup (chopped)
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Garlic: 2 cloves (crushed)
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Black pepper: ½ tsp
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Mixed spices: 1 tsp
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Paprika: ½ tsp
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Salt: 1 tsp
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Vegetable oil: 1 tbsp (to grease the baking tray)
For the Tomato Sauce:
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Tomatoes: 5 medium (peeled and thickly sliced or diced)
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Onion: 1 small (sliced thin or finely diced)
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Garlic: 2 cloves (crushed or thinly sliced)
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Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
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Hot water: 1½ cups
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Olive oil: 2 tbsp
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Green chili (optional): 1 (sliced)
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Salt and black pepper: To taste
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Sugar: ½ tsp (to reduce acidity of the tomatoes)
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Dried coriander (optional): ½ tsp
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Parsley (for garnish): Chopped, as desired
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Green chili slices (for garnish): Optional
Instructions:
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Prepare the Kofta:
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, parsley, garlic, black pepper, mixed spices, paprika, and salt.
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Knead the mixture well by hand for 5–7 minutes until smooth and fully combined. This helps the kofta hold its shape during cooking.
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Shape the kofta into patties or logs, as desired.
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Make the Tomato Sauce:
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In a wide pan over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté the onion until soft and translucent.
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Add garlic and chili slices (if using); stir for a minute until fragrant.
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Add tomato paste and stir for 1–2 minutes.
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Add sliced or diced tomatoes and stir gently.
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Season with salt, pepper, sugar, and dried coriander (if using). Pour in the hot water.
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Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5–7 minutes until it thickens slightly and the tomatoes soften.
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Bake the Kofta:
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Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
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Grease a baking dish with vegetable oil. Arrange the kofta pieces in the dish.
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Pour the hot tomato sauce over the kofta, ensuring most of the pieces are covered.
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Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25–30 minutes.
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Finish & Serve:
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Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the sauce reduces further and the kofta takes on a golden-brown color.
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Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped parsley and green chili slices.
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Serve hot with fluffy white rice, warm Arabic bread, or crispy fries.
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