Kafta bil Sanieh Recipe

Introduction

Kafta bil Sanieh is a classic Lebanese casserole featuring flavorful ground beef patties layered with potatoes, tomatoes, and onions, all baked in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for family dinners and offers a delightful blend of spices and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (10-15% fat)
• 1 large onion, halved
• 1 parsley bunch (about 1.5-2 cups parsley leaves), stems removed
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 potatoes, peeled and sliced into circles
• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced into circles
• 1 white onion, sliced into circles
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, add parsley, the halved onion, and salt. Pulse until finely minced.
2. Step 2: Transfer the minced mixture to a large bowl. Add the ground beef, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, and black pepper. Mix well by hand until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Take 1-2 tablespoons of the kafta mixture and shape each into a thin patty to ensure thorough cooking. Set the patties aside on a plate.
4. Step 4: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
5. Step 5: Arrange the peeled and sliced potato rounds on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.
6. Step 6: Bake the potatoes for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove and set aside.
7. Step 7: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
8. Step 8: In the baking dish, layer the kafta patties, sliced white onion, potato slices, and tomato slices vertically. Repeat the layering sequence until all ingredients are used.
9. Step 9: In a measuring cup, thin the tomato paste with 1 cup of water. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered ingredients.
10. Step 10: Pour the tomato sauce over the entire casserole, making sure to coat all vegetables and kafta evenly.
11. Step 11: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and the kafta is thoroughly cooked.
12. Step 12: Serve hot, ideally with Lebanese rice, and enjoy your hearty meal!

Tips & Variations

• Use lean ground beef for a healthier version, or mix beef and lamb for a richer flavor.
• For extra moisture, add a splash of beef broth if the tomato sauce seems too thick.
• Feel free to add chopped bell peppers or eggplant slices to the layering for extra vegetables.
• If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop the parsley and onion by hand.

Storage

Store leftover Kafta bil Sanieh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?

Yes, ground lamb works beautifully and adds a traditional rich flavor to the kafta, but it can be more fatty. Mixing beef and lamb is also a great option.

Do I need to precook the kafta patties before layering?

No, the patties are baked with the vegetables covered in tomato sauce, which cooks them through thoroughly. Make sure the patties are thin to ensure even cooking.

Kafta bil Sanieh Recipe

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Kafta bil Sanieh is a classic Lebanese baked meat casserole featuring layers of spiced ground beef patties, sliced potatoes, tomatoes, and onions, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a comforting family meal and showcases traditional Middle Eastern spices like allspice and cinnamon, baked to tender perfection in the oven.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Lebanese

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Kafta Mixture

• 1 lb ground beef (10-15% fat)
• 1 large onion, halved
• 1 parsley bunch, stems removed (about 1.5–2 cups parsley leaves)
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus 2–3 tablespoons for potatoes)

Vegetables

• 4 potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch circles
• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced into circles
• 1 white onion, sliced into circles

Tomato Sauce

• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water (divided: 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup for thinning tomato paste)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Kafta Mixture: In a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, add the parsley, halved onion, and salt, then pulse until finely minced. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and add the ground beef along with allspice, cinnamon, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly by hand until well incorporated.
2. Shape the Kafta Patties: Take about 1-2 tablespoons of the kafta mixture and shape each into a thin patty to ensure even cooking. Arrange the formed patties on a plate and set aside.
3. Preheat and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking sheet with cooking spray. Wash, peel, and slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange the slices evenly on the baking sheet and drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.
4. Partially Bake Potatoes: Bake the potatoes for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven and set aside.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish with cooking spray. In the baking dish, layer the ingredients vertically in order: one kafta patty, followed by one onion slice, two potato slices, then one tomato slice. Repeat this layering method until all ingredients are used.
6. Prepare the Sauce: In a measuring cup, thin the tomato paste with 1/2 cup of water and mix well. Pour the thinned tomato paste evenly over the layered casserole. Then pour the canned tomato sauce over everything, ensuring the kafta and vegetables are well coated.
7. Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 60 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the kafta is fully cooked through.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven and serve hot, ideally accompanied by Lebanese rice or a fresh side salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• Ensure kafta patties are thin enough to cook through since they are not precooked before baking.
• Layering vertically helps the flavors meld together and ensures even cooking.
• You can adjust spices according to preference; more cinnamon or allspice can add a deeper flavor.
• Use fresh parsley for best flavor and vibrant color in the kafta mixture.
• Cover casserole tightly with foil to prevent drying out during baking.
• For extra moisture, you can add a splash of water or broth if the sauce appears too thick before baking.

Keywords: Kafta bil Sanieh, Lebanese kafta casserole, Middle Eastern baked meat, ground beef casserole, kafta recipe