
Baked Lebanese bulgur and lamb with spiced filling
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
Servings
8
1 baking dish (9x13)
Difficulty
Advanced
Cost
Premium
$$$
Baked Lebanese bulgur and lamb with spiced filling
A layered Lebanese casserole of spiced ground lamb and fine bulgur with a savory filling of lamb, onions, and pine nuts. Crispy on top, tender inside—the queen of Lebanese dishes.
30m
Prep Time
35m
Cook Time
65m
Total Time
8
Servings
Hard
Difficulty
Premium $$$
Cost
(Updated )
Kibbeh is considered the national dish of Lebanon. This baked version layers a bulgur-lamb shell around a fragrant filling of sauteed lamb, pine nuts, and warm spices.
Shell: process soaked bulgur, 1 lb lamb, grated onion, spices, and salt in a food processor until a smooth, paste-like dough forms.
Filling: sauté diced onion in butter, add 1/2 lb lamb, cook until browned. Add spices and pine nuts.
Press half the shell mixture into a buttered 9x13 pan. Spread filling evenly over the top.
Carefully spread remaining shell mixture on top. Score into diamond shapes and pour melted butter over.
Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until golden and crispy on top. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Less traditional but works for the filling and shell
More affordable with a similar crunch
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
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This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
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Shop olive oil for this recipeWet your hands when pressing the shell mixture to prevent sticking.
Score before baking so the diamonds separate cleanly when serving.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes to re-crisp the top.
Per serving (75mg) · 8 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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