Meatballs with tahini from the oven (Kafta bil Tahini)

Meatballs are a timeless classic that have found their place in many countries. I bake my meatballs with potatoes, onions and tomatoes in the oven at a low temperature and then pour a delicious tahini and lemon sauce over them. I got the inspiration for this delicious oven recipe from Arabic cuisine, where this dish is called“Kafta bil Tahini“. I hope you enjoy my new recipe & blog post 🧡.

Meatballs with potatoes and tahini

Meatballs with tahini (Kafta bil Tahini)

Kafta bil tahini is a tempting dish from Arabic cuisine. The main ingredient, “kafta”, refers to meatballs formed from seasoned minced meat, often beef or lamb. These are then prepared in a creamy tahini sauce, which consists of tahini, lemon juice, garlic and spices. The mixture of savory meat and the creamy, nutty note of the tahini sauce creates a harmonious symphony for the palate. In Arabic cuisine, this dish is not only a culinary delight, but also an expression of hospitality and community, as it is often enjoyed at festive occasions and family gatherings. The preparation of kafta bil tahini often varies from household to household. Each family has its own secret variation of this classic dish, be it in the specific spices, the consistency of the kafta or the way the tahini sauce is prepared. In many recipes, yoghurt is mixed into the tahini sauce. My version uses no yoghurt at all and is simply delicious. I would say let’s take a closer look at the preparation! Let’s go!

Meatballs with potatoes and tahini

The step-by-step guide

  • Step 1: Preparations
    Peel and chop the tomatoes, onion and potatoes. Preheat the oven and prepare an ovenproof pan or baking dish.
  • Step 2: Layer the vegetables and pre-bake
    Place the potatoes, onions and tomatoes in the pan. Pre-bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • Step 3: Shape the meatballs and bake with the vegetables.
    Mix the minced beef with the spices, form flat meatballs and place them between the pre-baked vegetables. Bake for a further 15-20 minutes.
  • Step 4: Prepare the tahini sauce & pour over
    Mix the tahini with the lemon juice, spices and garlic. Pour the pan juices into the tahini mixture, stir until a homogeneous sauce has formed and season as required. Spread the tahini sauce over the dish and bake for a further 10-15 minutes.
  • Step 5: Top with pine nuts and parsley
    Heat the ghee (or neutral oil) and fry the pine nuts in it until golden brown and spread over the hot, still simmering dish. Top with chopped parsley. Serve hot with flatbread or Arabic rice. Enjoy your meal!
Meatballs with potatoes and tahini

Oven dish from the Orient – you can substitute these ingredients

Here are some creative ways you can vary the ingredients in my potato and meatball casserole with tahini and lemon sauce recipe:

  • Tahini alternative: peanut butter for a nutty note or almond butter for a milder flavor.
  • Minced meat alternative: Plant-based minced meat, whether from soy, peas or lupins. Vegan option: Replace with pieces of cauliflower or eggplant for a delicious vegan version.
  • Ghee alternative: Neutral oil such as sunflower oil for a lighter texture.
  • Pine nuts alternative: Use almonds, cashews or walnuts for a different textural note.
Meatballs with potatoes and tahini

Meatballs with tahini – that’s what makes this dish special:

  • Oriental flair: The use of spices such as cinnamon, coriander and tahini gives this dish an authentic hint of oriental flavors that make for a tasty journey of discovery.

  • Versatility through variation: with the option to swap ingredients, this recipe becomes a canvas for creativity. Whether vegetarian, vegan or with personal preferences – this dish is effortlessly adaptable.

  • Harmonious combination: the juicy meatballs, the tender potato slices and the creamy tahini-lemon sauce merge into a symphonic whole. Every bite offers a perfect balance of heartiness, freshness and spice.

  • A sense of community: Inspired by Arabic traditions that see food as the center of community and hospitality, this dish invites to be enjoyed and shared. It is more than just a recipe; it is an invitation to cozy meals and unforgettable moments.

  • Family-friendly and a highlight for guests: The ease of preparation and customizable ingredients make this casserole an ideal family meal. It is also always a great highlight for guests, who will be impressed by the flavorful finesse and harmonious presentation.

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3 more meatball recipes

Do you like this Pakistani rice dish? Then I have 3 more recipes here. I’m sure you’ll love these too:

What do you think of my meatballs with tahini recipe?

If you have tried the recipe, I would be very interested in your opinion. Just leave me a comment below or let me know what you think of this recipe on Instagram. I’m always happy to receive praise, more tips and friendly criticism.

Best regards

Unbenanntes Projekt 23
Meatballs with potatoes and tahini

Meatballs with tahini-lemon sauce (Kafta bil Tahini)

I bake my meatballs with potatoes, onions and tomatoes in the oven at a low temperature and then pour a delicious tahini-lemon sauce over them. I got the inspiration for this delicious oven recipe from Arabic cuisine, where this dish is called "kofta bil tahini". I hope you enjoy my new recipe & blog post 🧡.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Baking time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Course: Dinner, Family recipes, Meatballs, Oven and pan dish, Oven recipes
Cuisine: arabic, Levant
Calories: 494

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tomato
  • 1 large onion
  • 4 medium-sized potatoes
For the meatballs:
  • 500 g Minced beef
  • Spices: Salt Pepper,
  • 2 tsp 7 Spices or Garam Masala, Baharat
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 Onion finely chopped
  • Fresh parsley finely chopped
For the tahini sauce:
  • 100 g Tahini
  • 1-2 Lemons Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp allspice powder or freshly ground
  • 1 tsp paprika powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp Sumac
  • 4 Garlic cloves chopped or grated
  • Salt & pepper to taste
Other / Topping:
  • 2 tbsp Ghee Alternative neutral oil such as sunflower oil
  • 3 tbsp pine nuts
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for decoration)

Equipment

  • 1 ofenfeste Pfanne or casserole dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (top/bottom heat).
  2. Peel the onions and cut into wide, long strips. Halve the tomatoes, remove the stalk and roughly quarter. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-2 cm wide, oval slices (see photo above).
  3. Brush the bottom of an ovenproof pan (or oven dish) with a little oil. First place the potatoes side by side on top, then add the onions and tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and bake in the oven for approx. 20-25 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, place the meat in a bowl with the remaining ingredients for the meatballs. Mix everything well and form flat meatballs (adjust the size to the oven dish/pan).
  5. Remove the vegetables from the oven and spread the meatballs in between. Bake for a further 15-20 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, place the tahini, lemon juice, garlic and spices in a bowl. Mix everything well, the tahini should start to thicken slightly. Don't worry, this is normal.
  7. Remove the meatball pan from the oven. Carefully drain the juices/liquid from the pan into a bowl and collect.
  8. Carefully add the hot liquid to the tahini and mix well until you have a smooth, homogeneous sauce. If necessary, the stock can be diluted with a little water. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Add more lemon to taste.
  9. Turn the oven up to 200 degrees and bake for approx. 10 minutes (until it starts to simmer slightly).
  10. Meanwhile, melt the ghee in a small pan, add the pine nuts and fry over a medium heat until the pine nuts are lightly golden brown.
  11. Remove the mince and vegetable tahini pan from the oven and scatter the hot pine nuts over the simmering tahini sauce.
  12. Top with chopped parsley and enjoy with fresh flatbread or Arabic rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 494kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 27gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 99mgPotassium: 711mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 786IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 4mg

Notes

  1. The quantities given here are based on my ovenproof pan. If you are using a larger or smaller pan, please adjust accordingly.
  2. Always shake the tahini well before using it. Taste the meatballs and the tahini sauce and adjust to your own taste.
  3. Vegan version: Instead of minced meat, you can also use baked eggplant slices or leave it out completely. Use neutral oil instead of ghee

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Shiba from Shibas Kittchen

Hi, I’m Shiba

I’m glad you’re here. My dishes are very much inspired by the cooking skills of my mother, who comes from Pakistan. I also present Palestinian dishes that I learned about from my husband’s family. So you’ll find lots of dishes from 1001 nights here!

I hope you enjoy browsing and cooking.

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