Izmir Kofte (Baked Meatballs & Potatoes)
If you like ground beef, you’ll love this Turkish dinner — 60 minutes from craving to table.
✓ USDA-verified nutrition data
608 calories
44g protein
38g carbs
31g fat
5g fiber
Ingredients
- 1.25 lb Ground beef
- 1 Onion
- 3 Potatoes
- 3 Tomatoes
- 2 Bell peppers
- 0.33 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
Steps
- Grate the onion and mix with the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, paprika, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Knead 4 minutes until tacky, then shape into 12 oval patties.
- Sear the patties in hot oil just until browned on both sides — they finish cooking in the oven, so color now, doneness later.
- Slice the potatoes into thick rounds and the tomatoes into wedges. Arrange everything snugly in a baking dish, alternating meatballs, potato slices, tomato, and pepper.
- Whisk the tomato paste with 2 cups of hot water and salt, and pour around (not over) the arranged rows. The sauce should come halfway up.
- Bake at 400°F for 35 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, the tops are caramelized, and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve straight from the dish with bread for the sauce — the potatoes soaked in meat juices are the quiet stars here.