Siniya Beef and Tomato Bake
A fragrant, comforting Levantine baked meat and tomato dish spiced with warm aromatics and blistered to perfection.
Ingredients
- •1 lb ground beef (450g)
- •1 large yellow onion, finely grated or minced
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- •1 teaspoon ground allspice
- •1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced into thick rounds
- •2 tablespoons tomato paste
- •1 cup water or low-sodium beef broth (240ml)
- •3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds for garnish
- •1 small onion, sliced into rings for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced onion, garlic, parsley, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and black pepper, mixing gently with your hands until just incorporated.
- 3
Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch (23cm) round baking dish or cast-iron skillet, smoothing the top.
- 4
Arrange the tomato slices overlapping in a decorative circular pattern across the top of the meat layer.
- 5
In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, water or broth, and olive oil until smooth, then pour the mixture evenly over the beef and tomatoes.
- 6
Top the tomatoes with the onion rings and lemon slices.
- 7
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meat is fully cooked through, the tomatoes are tender, and the sauce is bubbling and slightly reduced.
- 8
Serve hot straight from the baking dish, accompanied by warm pita bread or fluffy white rice.
💡 Chef tips
- Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the entire dish a few hours in advance, cover it tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should feature a savory, spiced beef base topped with sweet, jammy tomatoes and a rich, aromatic pan sauce that is bursting with warm Middle Eastern spices.