Cheesy Shami Koofteh Recipe: A Surprising Blend of Tradition and Modern Flair for Cheese Lovers

According to the Saed News Cooking Service, meatballs are one of Iran’s traditional and beloved dishes, typically made with red meat and aromatic herbs. Among the various Iranian meatballs, Tabrizi meatballs are world-famous and considered the finest. Known as “Kuftesi” in Azerbaijani Turkish, Tabrizi meatballs are among the most renowned Iranian dishes with international acclaim. The traditional preparation techniques of Tabrizi meatballs are recognized as part of Iran’s national intangible heritage.

Meatballs are prepared differently around the world, especially in the Middle East. A modern variation, the Cheesy Shami Meatball, is popular in Europe and the United States. Served with a rich cheese sauce, it is a flavorful, elegant dish. If you want to try this unique modern recipe at home with ease, follow along with our step-by-step guide.

Ingredients for Cheesy Shami Meatballs

• Onion: 1

• Green peppers: 2

• Mushrooms: 150 g

• Butter: 2 tbsp

• Garlic: 2 cloves

• Ground meat: 400 g

• Breadcrumbs: ½ cup

• Parmesan cheese: 1 tbsp

• Eggs: 2

• Salt and pepper: to taste

• Oil: 1 tbsp

Ingredients for the Cheese Sauce

• Butter: 50 g

• All-purpose flour: 50 g

• Milk: 1 cup

• Cheddar cheese: 150 g

• Mozzarella cheese: 150 g

• Chopped parsley for garnish: as needed

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Start by peeling and finely dicing the onion. Dice the green peppers and mushrooms similarly. Place all the vegetables in a suitable pan and cook over low heat until they release their water and soften. Once the vegetables are cooked down, add the butter and grated garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let the vegetables cool.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add them to the meat mixture. Finally, add the sautéed vegetables and mix thoroughly until uniform. Shape the mixture into evenly sized large meatballs. Heat a little oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook the meatballs until browned. Set aside.

Step 3: To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir well. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously until smooth. Reduce the heat and continue stirring until the sauce thickens and begins to simmer. Add the fried meatballs to the sauce, then stir in the Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Allow 5 minutes for the cheese to melt, then remove from heat. Serve the meatballs in the cheese sauce, garnished with chopped parsley. For a complete meal, serve with French fries if desired.

Important Tips

• If using lamb for the ground meat, remember that lamb shrinks significantly during cooking, so make larger meatballs. For best results, use a mix of beef and lamb and grind it twice.

• Mushrooms are nutritious, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They also help prevent breast and prostate cancer and boost immunity. When buying mushrooms, they do not need to be pure white. Healthy mushrooms should feel heavy, without cracks in the caps. Avoid mushrooms with brown spots and cook them before eating.

• Parmesan is one of the most popular Italian cheeses, available grated, powdered, or in slices. It is pale yellow, soft in texture, high in protein, and easy to digest. Unlike regular pizza cheese, Parmesan does not need to melt and can be used grated directly on dishes like pasta, sauces, salads, and soups.