Afghan Kofta Challow (Meatballs in Tomato Sauce with Rice)
Juicy spiced beef meatballs simmered in a thick tomato sauce, served over plain basmati rice.
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.10 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 727kcal
- 73.5gcarbs
- 8.8gof which sugars
- 30.2gfat
- 11.4gsaturates
- 36.6gprotein
- 5.7gfibre
- 2.0gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Mix the beef, grated onion (squeeze out any juice first), chickpea flour, coriander, cumin, chilli, fresh coriander and salt. Knead well for 2 minutes, then shape into 20 small balls.
- 2
Heat half the oil in a wide pan and brown the meatballs in batches for 5 minutes, turning, until coloured all over. Lift out.
5 min - 3
Add the rest of the oil and the chopped onions to the pan and cook for 10 minutes until golden. Stir in the garlic, tomato purée, turmeric and ground coriander for 1 minute.
10 min - 4
Add the tomatoes, water and a pinch of salt and bring to a simmer. Return the meatballs, cover and cook gently for 20 minutes, until the sauce is thick and the meatballs are cooked through.
20 min - 5
Meanwhile, rinse the rice, boil in salted water for 10 minutes and drain.
10 min - 6
Serve the meatballs and sauce spooned over the rice.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
