One of my favorite ways to mark the weekend is by making Shakshuka
Weekend brunch is an important thing at my house. Not only because I have a tendency to get hangry when not fed, but because I think it's important to mark the weekend with something intentional and positive to disengage from the stresses of the week. In my opinion, brunch is best enjoyed while still in your nightclothes after a leisurely lie-in, sitting at the breakfast table with a tea-splattered Sunday crossword unfolded in front of you, or maybe curled up next to your honey on the couch with a Netflix show queuing up and the dog sniffing hopefully at your plate.
Though this Shakshuka recipe only takes about 30 minutes to prepare, I find that it pairs best with a slow weekend and an inclination to not rush to the next activity.
What is Shakshuka and where is it from?
Shakshuka is a savory stew found in Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean cuisines, though the exact origins are still debated. Some believe that Shakshuka originated in Turkey, where it eventually spread to Spain and other areas of the Middle East. Others believe that it originated in Morocco, Yemen, or Tunisia.
Though you'll find small variances in recipes according to each region, the essential components of a Shakshuka generally include eggs poached in a rich tomato sauce with peppers, onions, garlic, and various spices; often including cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Some variations of Shakshuka also include meat, yogurt or cheese, and additional vegetables or greens. In each region, it is often served with bread to mop up the rich sauce.
What you can expect from this recipe & meat-free options
My adaptation of this dish includes a meat option (sausage, lamb, or chorizo are our favorites), both poblano and bell peppers, cilantro, and green onions in place of the traditional white or yellow as a dietary preference. I also love to top my version of Shakshuka with salty feta cheese, creamy goat cheese, or this Easy Labneh Cheese because I think it pairs well with the rich umami of the tomatoes and heat from the peppers and spices.
If you prefer to make this dish without meat, it makes a hearty option on top of cauliflower or traditional rice, potatoes, or sautéed greens. We generally eat this dish for breakfast or brunch, but it also makes a wonderful comfort food option for dinner. Whichever time of day you choose to eat this, it pairs wonderfully with a loaf of crusty bread or flatbread to mop up every last drop.
How long does this recipe keep and what is the best reheating method?
This recipe should keep for up to 4 days when stores in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It reheats well in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. For smaller portions, reheat in a microwave-safe dish for 2 minutes, stir, and heat at additional 30-second intervals as needed.
If you are a jammy egg fan
Though it's perfectly okay to reheat the once-cooked eggs when enjoying the leftovers, if you prefer a jammier egg rather than a firm one, you can limit the original number of eggs you crack into this stew to just what you will eat that day. When reheating on the stove, additional eggs can be added and cooked at this time. That way you enjoy perfectly jammy eggs when enjoying the leftovers. If reheating in the microwave, a separately cooked fried or poached egg added to the top after reheating is the way to go.
What tools do I need to make this recipe?
- A cutting board
- A chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
- A wooden spoon or spatula
- A large cast-iron skillet or oven-safe skillet (you may also cook the bulk of the dish in a skillet on the stovetop and transfer it to a baking dish to finish in the oven)
Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.
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Shakshuka
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast & Brunch
- Method: Oven / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, North African
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Shakshuka is a stew of eggs poached in tomato sauce with sausage, peppers, and feta. This savory brunch dish takes about 30 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork sausage, lamb, or chorizo
- 1 bell pepper (I prefer orange or yellow), chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- ½ cup green onion, chopped (green tops only if following Low-FODMAP)
- ½ cup of cilantro (plus more to top, if desired)
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (may sub 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil if following Low-FODMAP)
- 4 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 6 large eggs
- ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Optional: a crusty loaf of bread or flatbread on the side to soak up every last bit
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
- In a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat, brown sausage until cooked through.
- Add bell pepper, poblano pepper, and green onions, and cilantro, sauteing for about 2 minutes to allow the peppers to get some direct heat.
- Add the tomato sauce and stir to combine.
- Season the mixture with the garlic (or garlic oil), cumin, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer.
- Once the tomato sauce is nice and bubbly, make a well in each section that you would like to add an egg. Gently crack an egg into each well.
- Top the dish with feta cheese and place in the oven to continue cooking. I prefer my egg whites to be cooked through for safety reasons, but like my yolks to be slightly runny or jammy still. If your tomato sauce was sufficiently hot when you add the eggs this should only take an additional 7-10 minutes in the oven to complete cooking. Alternatively, if you would prefer to continue poaching the eggs on top of the stove instead of the oven, you may do so.
- Optional: Serve Shakshuka warm with additional cilantro on top and a crusty loaf of bread or flatbread on the side to soak up every last bit.
Notes
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 1619 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 248 mg
Jacqui Debono says
Shakshuka is one of my favourite breakfasts! We have fresh eggs from our chickens, so perfect for us!
Natalie says
Wow that recipe sounds absolutely delicious. I love all the flavors you combined here and colors are just amazing. I will definitely give this a try. It will be perfect for family dinner. It's super easy and yet perfectly nutritious. And loaded with healthy stuff.
Aditi Bahl says
I have been cooking shakshuka recipe for a long time. There are so many versions i have tried. Your looks sooo tempting that i am surely trying this one next. Thanks for sharing.
Kylie { Midwest Foodie says
I have been looking for a shashuka recipe and it looks like I've found it! Can't wait to try this recipe next weekend - my family is going to love it!
Lorie says
Weekend brunch is a very important thing in my house as well. And that’s why this recipe will be included in our next brunch!!! Yum!
Sharon says
This beautiful shakshuka is the perfect comfort food dish. The sauce, sausage, peppers and feta makes this so full of flavor.
Sara says
This looks like such a flavorful dish! I would love to try this for a weekend breakfast with the family!
Marisa F. Stewart says
There is nothing better than a savory breakfast. Eggs plus a spicy tomato sauce is a winning combination for me. It makes a perfect brunch dish and of course you have to have some delicious bread to go along with it. A winning dish for sure.
Aleta says
YUMMM I am getting hangry looking at your photography! I've never tried poached eggs in tomato sauce before, especially with sausage and peppers, but cannot wait to try this now!
Michelle says
Shakshuka is one of our favourite things to have for a tasty supper. We usually have a veggie version but I know some of my friends would love sausage in theirs so I'll definitely pass this recipe on to them!
Veena Azmanov says
Lovely combination of ingredients and colorful too. Great start to the day too.
Anna says
Oh what a great idea for a weekend brunch! Love the sound of eggs poached in tomato sauce and that feta crumbled on top is just delicious! Must make this soon!
Elaine Benoit says
Brunch is super important in our house too! This shakshuka looks excellent! Seriously, this has to be the best I've seen! It looks incredibly flavorful and delicious!
Whip & Wander says
Thanks, Elaine! It's one of our brunch favorites!
Dianna says
We love brunch too! On the weekends' breakfast seems sneaks up on us. We leap out of bed to our favorite weekend activities. Then we realize we are hungry and we make brunch together. Best memories!
Karyl Henry says
I've seen Shakshuka on restaurant menus and on Pinterest, but I've always been kind of afraid of it! I need to get over that, because it looks easy to make, and I love all the ingredients in it. I'm saving this to try one weekend soon
Pavani says
This is such a hearty and filling brunch idea. Looks so colorful and delicious. My family will go gaga for this.