Mouthwatering Shakshouka Recipe

Hearty Shakshouka Recipe: A Flavorful Breakfast Delight

Mornings buzz with energy when a sizzling skillet of easy shakshouka lands on the breakfast table.

Vibrant tomato sauce bubbles beneath perfectly poached eggs, creating a dish that sings with Middle Eastern flavors.

Spices dance through the sauce, awakening sleepy taste buds with warmth and depth.

Crusty bread becomes the perfect companion for scooping up every delicious bite.

Cooking this one-pan wonder takes less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for lazy weekends or quick weeknight meals.

The combination of rich tomatoes, runny egg yolks, and aromatic spices turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Dive into this simple yet spectacular breakfast that promises to become a new weekend favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 33 minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for a Comforting Shakshouka

For Base and Flavor Builders:
  • Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables with silky texture.
  • Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic base that develops deep savory undertones when softened.
  • Anaheim Peppers, Jalapeño Pepper: Deliver gentle heat and bright, fresh pepper essence with customizable spiciness.
For Sauce Components:
  • Diced Tomatoes: Creates robust, tangy sauce with vibrant red color and hearty texture.
  • Vegetable Broth: Enhances moisture and adds delicate layered depth to the tomato base.
  • Ground Cumin: Introduces warm, earthy Mediterranean spice profile with subtle nutty notes.
  • Smoked Paprika: Brings smoky, slightly sweet dimension with rich complexity.
  • Dried Oregano: Contributes authentic herbal Mediterranean character.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and elevates overall seasoning with classic fundamental taste.
For Finishing and Serving:
  • Eggs: Provides protein-rich centerpiece with luxurious runny yolk for dramatic presentation.
  • Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, crisp garnish with clean herbal freshness.
  • Feta Cheese: Adds creamy, tangy counterpoint with traditional Mediterranean flair.
  • Pita Bread: Serves as perfect vehicle for scooping and soaking up flavorful sauce.

Tools That Help You Cook Shakshouka Right

  • Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing vegetables and creating the tomato sauce base.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
  • Chef's Knife: Needed for chopping onions, peppers, parsley, and other ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices like cumin and paprika.
  • Lid: Crucial for covering the skillet and cooking eggs evenly.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.

How to Simmer Shakshouka at Home

  • Vegetable Groundwork

Start by grabbing a deep skillet and warming olive oil over medium heat. Toss in chopped onions and peppers, letting them dance and soften until they develop golden-brown edges. This creates a flavor foundation that will make your shakshouka sing.

  • Sauce Symphony

Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, then sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Let everything simmer and mingle, bubbling gently and reducing until the sauce becomes thick and luxurious. The aromas will start filling your kitchen with Mediterranean magic.

  • Egg Arrival

Carefully nestle whole eggs directly into the rich sauce, creating little pockets for each one. Cover the skillet and let the eggs poach gently, allowing the whites to set while keeping the yolks beautifully runny and inviting.

  • Final Flourish

Remove the skillet from heat and shower the dish with fresh parsley and crumbled feta. The bright herbs and salty cheese will add a vibrant finish. Serve immediately with warm pita bread, ready to scoop up every delicious bite of this comfort food classic.

Ways to Add Flair to Shakshouka

  • Spice Master's Twist: Experiment with different peppers like poblano or bell peppers to create unique flavor profiles that match your heat preference.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the tomato sauce up to two days in advance and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and add fresh eggs for a quick meal.
  • Protein Power-Up: Transform this vegetarian dish by adding cooked ground lamb, chorizo, or chickpeas directly into the sauce for extra protein and depth.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Replace feta with other crumbly cheeses like goat cheese or queso fresco, or swap in melty options like mozzarella or manchego for a different texture experience.
  • Global Dipping Delights: Serve alongside different breads like crusty sourdough, naan, focaccia, or cornbread to explore international bread variations that complement the rich tomato sauce.

How to Serve Shakshouka for Any Meal

  • Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Create a vibrant spread alongside your shakshouka with hummus, olives, cucumber salad, and extra pita bread for a complete Middle Eastern dining experience.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Transform this dish into a weekend brunch centerpiece by serving with crispy roasted potatoes, a light Israeli salad, and fresh orange juice for a delightful morning feast.
  • Protein Power-Up: Enhance the protein content by adding crumbled chorizo or merguez sausage during the vegetable sautéing stage, giving the dish an extra layer of rich, spicy flavor.
  • Herb Garden Topping: Experiment with additional fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, or za'atar seasoning sprinkled on top to elevate the aromatic profile and add a burst of freshness to the shakshouka.

Keep Shakshouka Tasty for the Next Day

  • Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover shakshouka in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The tomato sauce keeps well, but eggs are best consumed quickly for optimal taste and texture.
  • Quick Meal Prep: Prepare the tomato sauce base ahead of time and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and crack fresh eggs directly into the warm mixture for a speedy meal.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze the tomato sauce separately without eggs for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before adding fresh eggs for serving.
  • Smart Portioning: Individual ramekins work great for single servings, making it easy to reheat and enjoy shakshouka without compromising the dish's delicate texture and flavor profile.
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Mouthwatering Shakshouka Recipe

Mouthwatering Shakshouka Recipe


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4.9 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 43 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Quick Homemade Shakshouka brings Middle Eastern comfort to breakfast tables with poached eggs nestled in spicy tomato sauce. Fragrant spices and fresh herbs make this dish a delightful morning experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 68 eggs
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 28-oz (794 g) can diced tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup (120 g) vegetable broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 Anaheim peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
  • 0.25 cup (40 g) crumbled feta cheese, for topping
  • Fresh pita bread, for serving

Instructions

  1. Flavor Genesis: Sauté onions, Anaheim peppers, and jalapeño in olive oil over medium-high heat until vegetables caramelize and soften, developing a rich golden hue, approximately 7 minutes.
  2. Sauce Transformation: Pour diced tomatoes and vegetable broth into the skillet, incorporating ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered, stirring periodically, allowing sauce to reduce and intensify for 20-22 minutes.
  3. Egg Poaching Technique: Carve gentle depressions in the thickened tomato sauce and carefully nestle eggs into each pocket. Cover skillet and cook until egg whites set and yolks remain creamy, roughly 6-8 minutes.
  4. Culinary Finale: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese. Serve piping hot alongside warm pita bread, creating a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Notes

Optimize Vegetable Sauté: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and golden caramelization, enhancing overall flavor complexity.

Control Sauce Consistency: Monitor sauce reduction carefully, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and achieve perfect thick, rich texture.

Master Egg Poaching: Create gentle wells in sauce and carefully crack eggs to maintain intact yolks, ensuring perfectly cooked, creamy centers.

Serving Strategy: Serve immediately after cooking to preserve temperature and texture, with warm pita bread for maximum taste and authentic experience.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 33 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 210 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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