Tray Bake Lamb Kofta Meatballs with Roasted Vegetables and Tahini Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This tray bake lamb kofta dinner is a flavorful and easy one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy spiced meatballs bake alongside vibrant roasted vegetables, creating a delicious, fuss-free dinner. Serve with flatbreads or your choice of grains for a satisfying feast.

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion, grated using a box grater
• 500 g / 1 lb lamb mince (ground lamb) or beef
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (substitute regular breadcrumbs)
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tbsp coriander/cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 2 tsp paprika (plain, substitute smoked if preferred)
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste or omit for less heat)
• 3/4 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 large red capsicum, deseeded and sliced into 1 cm thick slices
• 1 large yellow capsicum, deseeded and sliced into 1 cm thick slices
• 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp cooking or kosher salt and black pepper (for vegetables)
• Olive oil spray (for the meatballs)
• 4 flatbreads (or rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice)
• 1 quantity tahini sauce
• 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce or other leafy greens
• 2 tomatoes, halved and cut into thin slices
• 1 tbsp coriander/cilantro leaves, finely chopped (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C (fan-forced).
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine all kofta ingredients—grated onion, lamb mince, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, chopped coriander, and all the spices and seasoning. Mix thoroughly with your hands, then shape into about 16 large meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on a large baking tray.
3. Step 3: Toss the sliced red and yellow capsicums and red onion wedges with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange these vegetables around and between the meatballs on the tray.
4. Step 4: Lightly spray the meatballs with olive oil spray. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Then switch the oven to the grill or broiler setting on high and cook for an additional 5 minutes to develop a golden color on the meatballs.
5. Step 5: Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped coriander over the dish, and serve. To assemble wraps, fill flatbreads with lettuce, tomato slices, meatballs, and the roasted vegetables. Drizzle generously with tahini sauce and enjoy. Alternatively, serve over rice, couscous, or in a big salad bowl.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
• Substitute lamb mince with beef or chicken mince if preferred.
• To add freshness, include a squeeze of lemon or a dollop of yogurt when serving.
• Use smoked paprika instead of plain paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
• Make the kofta mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help flavors meld and make shaping easier.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and roasted vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. For best texture, avoid reheating too long to keep meatballs tender.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use beef mince instead of lamb?

Yes, beef mince works well as an alternative to lamb and will still yield flavorful kofta meatballs.

What can I serve instead of flatbreads?

You can serve the meatballs and vegetables over rice, couscous, cauliflower rice, or with a fresh salad for a low-carb option.

Tray Bake Lamb Kofta Meatballs with Roasted Vegetables and Tahini Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 143 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

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Description

This tray bake dinner recipe features flavorful lamb kofta meatballs baked alongside vibrant grilled vegetables. Infused with a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper, these succulent meatballs are easy to prepare and perfect for serving wrapped in flatbreads with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce. The method involves baking and grilling in the oven to achieve tender meat with a beautifully caramelized exterior, making it a wholesome, hearty, and satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Kofta Meatballs

• 1/2 onion, grated using a box grater
• 500 g / 1 lb lamb mince (ground lamb, or beef)
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tbsp coriander/cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp coriander (ground)
• 2 tsp paprika (plain, can substitute smoked)
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Vegetables

• 1 large red capsicum, deseeded and sliced into 1 cm thick slices
• 1 large yellow capsicum, deseeded and sliced into 1 cm thick slices
• 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Other Ingredients

• Olive oil spray (for the meatballs)
• 4 flatbreads (or rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice)
• 1 quantity Tahini sauce
• 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce (or other leafy greens)
• 2 tomatoes, halved and cut into thin slices
• 1 tbsp coriander/cilantro leaves, finely chopped (optional for sprinkling)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C fan-forced to ensure it’s hot enough for baking the meatballs and vegetables evenly.
2. Prepare Kofta Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the grated onion, lamb mince, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped coriander, and all the spices (cumin, ground coriander, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper). Mix thoroughly using your hands until well incorporated. Shape the mixture into 16 large meatballs by scooping the mixture onto a tray and rolling into balls.
3. Prepare Vegetables: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced red and yellow capsicum and red onion wedges with the extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Arrange these vegetables around the meatballs on the same large baking tray.
4. Bake: Lightly spray the kofta meatballs with olive oil spray to promote browning. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then switch the oven to the grill or broiler setting on high and cook for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a nice color and slightly charred surface on the meatballs and vegetables.
5. Serve: Remove the tray from the oven, sprinkle chopped coriander leaves over the meatballs and vegetables. Serve the kofta wrapped in flatbreads with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, roasted capsicum and onion, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. Alternatively, serve over rice, couscous, or in a large salad for a versatile meal.

Notes

• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control spiciness; omit for a milder flavor.
• You can substitute lamb mince with beef mince if preferred.
• Panko breadcrumbs add a light texture but regular breadcrumbs work well too.
• The grill step is key for caramelizing the meatballs and vegetables; do not skip.
• Serve with flatbreads, rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice depending on dietary preferences.
• Fresh coriander added at the end enhances flavor and presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keywords: lamb kofta, tray bake, meatballs, baked meatballs, Middle Eastern dinner, healthy lamb recipe, tahini sauce, oven-baked, spiced meatballs