This Shakshuka Recipe is a flavorful Mediterranean and North African-inspired dish made with eggs gently poached in a rich tomato and pepper sauce. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner, this one-pan meal is simple to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Rich, savory, and comforting flavors
- One-pan recipe with easy cleanup
- Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner
- Family-friendly and easy to customize
- Great for serving with warm pita or crusty bread
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 green peppers, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 6 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, green peppers, and garlic. Stir in the coriander, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Using a spoon, create six small wells in the sauce.
- Carefully crack one egg into each well.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet.
- Cook until the egg whites are set while the yolks remain slightly runny, about 5–8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and mint.
- Serve the Shakshuka Recipe immediately with warm pita bread, challah, or crusty bread.
Tips & Tricks
- Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
- For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes or chopped chili peppers.
- Keep the egg yolks slightly runny for traditional shakshuka.
- Add crumbled feta cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for even cooking and serving.
- Fresh herbs make a noticeable difference, so avoid skipping them.
- If tomatoes are out of season, high-quality canned tomatoes work well.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, North African
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Notes
- Add spinach or kale for extra nutrition.
- Top with feta cheese, olives, or avocado for additional flavor.
- Serve alongside hummus, cucumber salad, or roasted potatoes.
- For a heartier meal, pair with grilled vegetables or chickpeas.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
FAQ
What is shakshuka?
Shakshuka is a traditional North African and Mediterranean dish consisting of eggs cooked in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce.
Can I make this Shakshuka Recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the sauce in advance and refrigerate it. Reheat the sauce and add fresh eggs when ready to serve.
Can I use canned tomatoes?
Absolutely. Canned diced tomatoes are a convenient substitute when fresh tomatoes are unavailable.
How do I know when the eggs are done?
The egg whites should be fully set while the yolks can remain runny or be cooked longer according to your preference.
Is shakshuka spicy?
Traditionally, it has mild warmth from spices. You can increase the heat by adding more chili flakes or fresh peppers.
What should I serve with shakshuka?
Warm pita bread, crusty artisan bread, challah, fresh salads, or roasted vegetables pair beautifully with shakshuka.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Store leftover sauce separately or with eggs in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Freeze the tomato sauce without eggs for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
Warm the sauce in a skillet over medium heat. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Add freshly cooked eggs for the best texture.
Similar Recipes
Shakshuka Recipe: Easy Mediterranean Breakfast
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 2 green peppers chopped
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 6 medium tomatoes chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, green peppers, and garlic. Stir in the coriander, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Using a spoon, create six small wells in the sauce.
- Carefully crack one egg into each well.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet.
- Cook until the egg whites are set while the yolks remain slightly runny, about 5–8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and mint.
- Serve the Shakshuka Recipe immediately with warm pita bread, challah, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Add spinach or kale for extra nutrition.
- Top with feta cheese, olives, or avocado for additional flavor.
- Serve alongside hummus, cucumber salad, or roasted potatoes.
- For a heartier meal, pair with grilled vegetables or chickpeas.
Conclusion
This Shakshuka Recipe is an easy, satisfying, and flavorful dish that transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal. Whether you’re preparing a weekend brunch or a quick weeknight dinner, the rich tomato sauce, aromatic spices, and perfectly cooked eggs make this recipe a guaranteed favorite. Enjoy it fresh from the skillet with plenty of warm bread for dipping.