Iraqi Baked Dinner

Discover the comforting flavors of the Middle East with this hearty Iraqi Baked Dinner, a delightful one-dish meal perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Featuring layers of tender potatoes, aromatic spiced ground lamb or beef, fluffy long-grain rice, and juicy tomatoes, this dish is infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander for a truly irresistible taste. A tomato paste and water mixture ensures the rice cooks to perfection while uniting all the layers in a rich, savory sauce. The baked casserole is finished with a golden, lightly caramelized tomato topping for added texture and flavor. Easy to prepare and visually stunning, this flavorful Iraqi casserole makes a satisfying dinner centerpiece. Serve it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of brightness! Keywords: Iraqi Baked Dinner, Middle Eastern casserole, layered rice dish, ground lamb recipe, spiced rice and meat meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground lamb or beef
• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

Step 2

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in a bowl of water for 20 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the ground lamb or beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Season the meat with cinnamon, cumin, coriander, paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.

Step 6

Grease a large baking dish with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Layer the bottom of the dish with the sliced potatoes, slightly overlapping them.

Step 7

Spread half of the uncooked rice evenly over the potatoes. Layer half of the cooked meat mixture over the rice. Add a layer of sliced tomatoes on top.

Step 8

Repeat the layers—add the remaining rice, followed by the remaining meat mixture, and top with a final layer of sliced tomatoes.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the tomato paste with 3 cups of water and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Pour this mixture evenly over the contents of the baking dish.

Step 10

Drizzle the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap the steam.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the layers are tender.

Step 12

Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to lightly brown the top layer of tomatoes, if desired.

Step 13

Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. Scoop portions out carefully to maintain the layered presentation.

Step 14

Serve warm, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2231.1 grams (2231.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2364

Total Fat 142.60g	183%
Saturated Fat 46.20g	231%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.20g
Cholesterol 400mg	133%
Sodium 5153mg	224%
Total Carbohydrate 170.60g	62%
Dietary Fiber 15.10g	54%
Total Sugars 18.30g
Protein 105.20g	210%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 323mg	25%
Iron 19mg	107%
Potassium 3217mg	68%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.8%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 28.6%