Dawood Basha (Lebanese Meatballs with Potatoes & Rice)

Tender Lebanese-style beef meatballs simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce with potatoes, served over fluffy rice—a comforting and hearty dish rooted in Middle Eastern home cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Dawood Basha offers a beautiful harmony of flavors—savory meatballs infused with warm spices in a rich sauce, matched with tender potatoes and rice. It’s a filling, all-in-one meal that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• ground beef (lean or a mix of lean and fatty)

• onion, finely chopped

• garlic, minced

• breadcrumbs or soaked bread

• egg

• ground cinnamon and allspice (or similar warm spices)

• salt and black pepper

• olive oil

• diced tomatoes or tomato sauce

• tomato paste

• beef broth or water

• potatoes, peeled and cubed

• long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine works well)

• fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

directions

1. Form meatballs: In a bowl, mix ground beef with onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Shape into walnut-sized meatballs.

2. Brown meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, then transfer to a plate.

3. Build sauce: In the same pot, sauté additional onion and garlic until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly, then add diced tomatoes (or sauce), broth, salt, pepper, and return meatballs.

4. Add potatoes: Gently nestle cubed potatoes among the meatballs. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat 20–25 minutes, until meatballs and potatoes are tender and sauce has thickened.

5. Cook rice: Meanwhile, rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and double its volume in water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15–18 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff and let rest.

6. Serve: Spoon rice onto plates or a platter, top with meatballs, potatoes, and tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.

Servings and timing

• Servings: Serves 4–6 people

• Prep time: ~15 minutes

• Cook time: ~45 minutes (including rice plus meatball simmering)

• Total time: ~60 minutes

Variations

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne to the meat mixture or sauce.

• Potato swap: Use sweet potatoes or baby Yukon golds for a different twist.

• Tomato base: Replace diced tomatoes with crushed tomatoes or combine with a splash of red wine.

• Grain alternate: Serve over cauliflower rice or bulgur for a lighter or gluten-free option.

storage/reheating

• Fridge: Store meatballs, potatoes, sauce, and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Freeze meatballs, sauce, and potatoes for up to 2 months. Rice can be frozen but may dry out slightly on reheating.

• Reheating: Gently reheat sauce, meatballs, and potatoes in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding water or broth if needed; microwave or steam rice until heated.

FAQs

1. Can I make Dawood Basha ahead of time?

Yes, it tastes even better after flavors meld; prepare sauce and meatballs a day ahead and reheat gently.

2. What type of rice is best?

Long-grain rice like basmati or jasmine absorbs sauce nicely—it’s traditional but feel free to substitute.

3. Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?

Certainly, or try a beef/lamb blend for richer flavor.

4. Are the meatballs gluten-free?

Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free bread or omit—just adjust seasoning as needed.

5. Can I skip potatoes?

Yes, but potatoes add substance; you could substitute carrots, zucchini, or omit if preferred.

6. How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart?

Don’t overmix; gently handle them. Chill for 10 minutes before browning to help them hold shape better.

7. Can I cook this in a slow cooker?

Yes–brown meatballs first; then combine all ingredients and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

8. What’s the sauce consistency like?

Tomato-based and fairly thick—should lightly coat meatballs but still cling to rice.

9. Can I freeze everything together?

Yes, though rice may become dry. Thaw first and reheat meatballs/sauce on stovetop; microwave rice separately with added moisture.

10. What should I serve with Dawood Basha?

Simple sides like a crisp salad, yogurt cucumber salad, flatbread, or pickled vegetables complement it nicely.

Conclusion

Dawood Basha is a beloved Lebanese comfort food that delivers hearty meatballs, potatoes, and tomato sauce over rice—a complete, flavor-packed meal with minimal fuss. Whether made for family supper or batch meal prep, it’s soulful cuisine you can rely on.

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