İzmir Köfte (Turkish Meatballs and Potatoes Baked in Tomato Sauce)
In short: Oval beef meatballs baked with potato wedges and green peppers in a rich tomato sauce, a family tray dish served with rice or bread. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 550 kcal
İzmir köfte is a home-style tray bake: oval spiced meatballs, golden potato wedges and green peppers baked together in a tomato sauce until the potatoes are soft and the sauce clings to everything. It is a weeknight favorite across Türkiye, and the pan goes straight to the table. Brown the köfte first for flavor, then let the oven do the rest. Mop up the sauce with bread or serve it over rice.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Mix all the köfte ingredients and knead for 3 minutes. Shape into 16 small ovals, about 5 cm (2 inches) long.
- Toss the potatoes with 2 tbsp of the oil and 1/2 tsp of the salt on a baking tray and roast for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a skillet and brown the köfte for 2 minutes per side. They do not need to cook through.
- Arrange the potatoes and köfte in a 25 x 35 cm (10 x 14 inch) baking dish. Tuck in the green peppers and tomato slices.
- Whisk the tomato paste, pepper paste, hot water, remaining salt and sugar and pour it over everything.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and thickened and the köfte reach 71°C (160°F).
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot with rice pilaf or bread for the sauce.
Tips
- Roast the potatoes first, as the recipe says. Raw potatoes added straight to the sauce stay soft and take on the sauce instead of browning.
- For more heat, use hot pepper paste or add a few sliced hot green chilies to the tray.
Questions and answers
Can I make İzmir köfte ahead?
Yes. Assemble the dish up to a day ahead and bake it just before serving. Leftovers keep for 3 days in the fridge.
What is the difference between izgara köfte and İzmir köfte?
Izgara köfte is grilled and served dry, while İzmir köfte is baked in a tomato sauce with potatoes and peppers.
Can I freeze İzmir köfte?
The meatballs freeze well in their sauce for up to 2 months, but the potatoes turn grainy, so freeze the dish without them if you can.
How long does it take to make İzmir Köfte (Turkish Meatballs and Potatoes Baked in Tomato Sauce)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in İzmir Köfte (Turkish Meatballs and Potatoes Baked in Tomato Sauce)?
About 550 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 35 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 550 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 35 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1250 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
