Bobotie South African Curried Meat Casserole

Experience the rich, aromatic flavors of South Africa with this Bobotie Curried Meat Casserole, a hearty dish that combines spiced ground beef or lamb with a creamy, golden egg custard topping. Infused with the warmth of mild curry powder, turmeric, and dried herbs, this casserole is a delightful balance of savory and subtly sweet, thanks to juicy raisins and tangy fruit chutney. Softened bread soaked in milk adds a luscious texture, while slivered almonds bring a hint of crunch. Baked to perfection and topped with fragrant bay leaves, Bobotie is an ideal comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners or celebratory meals. Serve it alongside vibrant yellow rice for a truly authentic South African culinary experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 500 grams ground beef (or lamb)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
• 0.5 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs (e.g., thyme, oregano, rosemary)
• 2 slices white bread slices, crusts removed
• 250 milliliters milk
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chutney (fruit chutney like apricot is recommended)
• 50 grams raisins
• 25 grams almonds, slivered (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 4 whole leaves bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the ground beef (or lamb) to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned and any excess liquid has evaporated, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step 4

Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to become fragrant.

Step 5

In a bowl, soak the bread slices in half (125 ml) of the milk until softened. Squeeze out the excess milk, reserving the milk for later. Break up the bread into small pieces and mix it into the meat mixture.

Step 6

Add the white vinegar, chutney, raisins, and almonds (if using) to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Step 7

Transfer the spiced meat mixture into a greased ovenproof casserole dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 8

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and the remaining milk (125 ml). Pour this egg mixture evenly over the meat in the casserole dish.

Step 9

Gently press the bay leaves into the top of the meat mixture for added flavor and presentation.

Step 10

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the egg custard is set and golden brown on top.

Step 11

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Discard the bay leaves before eating.

Step 12

Serve warm with traditional accompaniments like yellow rice, chutney, and a side salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1210.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2142.8

Total Fat 131.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 47.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 795.2mg	0%
Sodium 3729.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.3g	0%
Total Sugars 66.0g
Protein 122.1g	0%

Vitamin D 195.4IU	0%
Calcium 810.6mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 3093.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.7%

Protein: 22.5%

Carbs: 22.7%