This savory and saucy shakshuka is MB at its finest, friends! Made in 1 pot with simple ingredients, it’s the perfect quick and satisfying meal suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s subtly spicy, super comforting, and pairs well with toasted https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-gluten-free-bread-no-knead/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>bread, https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-vegan-grilled-cheese-sandwich/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>grilled cheese sandwiches, https://minimalistbaker.com/perfect-roasted-potatoes/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>roasted potatoes, and beyond.
It’s especially perfect for tomato season (we see you, summer gardeners drowning in tomatoes!) but can be enjoyed any time of year by subbing canned tomatoes. Let us show you how it’s done!
What is Shakshuka?
Shakshuka (also spelled shakshouka) is a dish consisting of poached eggs cooked over a spiced tomato and pepper-based sauce. Its exact origin is hotly debated, but the dish is believed to have originated in Northwest Africa in a region called Maghreb that includes Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia, among other countries.
Its popularity later spread to Israel, where it was embraced as a hearty, inexpensive, and simple dish. In Jewish culture, it’s made for breakfast using the leftover tomato stew from the Sabbath dinner.
The following is an easy, dairy-free version using fresh tomatoes, with an option to use canned if preferred!
How to Make Shakshuka
This 1-pot dish starts with sautéing onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to bring out their natural sweetness. A little salt adds flavor from the beginning!
Then we add tomato paste for richness, cumin for smokiness, paprika for depth, and red pepper flakes for heat. Fresh or canned tomatoes come next, and they’re cooked until they’re broken down and infused with the spices. Any tomatoes will work, but we love adding in some cherry tomatoes for maximum flavor.
Then it’s time for the eggs. Create spaces for them in the tomato mixture, then gently crack them into the empty spaces and sprinkle with a little salt. Cover the dish, and in a matter of minutes, the eggs will be cooked through and ready to enjoy!
We hope you LOVE this shakshuka! It’s:
Savory
Bright
Subtly spicy
Versatile
Quick & easy
& SO comforting!
What to Serve with Shakshuka
Any carb-y dish is a good match for shakshuka and creates a super satisfying meal. Some of our favorites include:
Alternatively, pair it with Middle Eastern-inspired dishes including our https://minimalistbaker.com/saucy-moroccan-spiced-lentils/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Saucy Moroccan-Spiced Lentils, https://minimalistbaker.com/harissa-marinated-chickpeas/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Harissa Marinated Chickpeas, https://minimalistbaker.com/grain-free-tabbouleh-salad-6-ingredients/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Grain-Free Tabbouleh Salad, or https://minimalistbaker.com/5-minute-harissa-tahini-sauce/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Tahini Sauce.
More Savory Breakfast Recipes
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo https://www.instagram.com/minimalistbaker/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>@minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Servings 4 (Servings)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced white or yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced (1 large pepper yields ~1 cup or 120 g)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes, diced (we used half roma, half cherry // 2 lbs yield ~4 cups // or sub 28 oz. canned diced tomatoes)
- 4 large eggs (farm fresh, organic, pasture-raised whenever possible)
Heat a large rimmed skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add the olive oil and onion and sauté until just translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, red bell pepper, and salt. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant.
Add the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and stir well to combine. Bring to a light simmer, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are well broken down, the bell pepper is softened, and the flavors have developed. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more cumin for smokiness, red pepper flakes for heat, or salt for overall flavor.
Use the back of a spoon to make four wells in the tomato mixture, then gently crack an egg into each well. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and cover the pan. Cook for 4-6 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. For over-hard eggs, cook for 8 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, sprinkle with basil or parsley and black pepper (all optional), and serve! Pairs well with toasted https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-gluten-free-bread-no-knead/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>bread, https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-vegan-grilled-cheese-sandwich/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>grilled cheese sandwiches, or https://minimalistbaker.com/perfect-roasted-potatoes/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>roasted potatoes.
Best when fresh. The sauce alone will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. For best texture and taste, we don’t recommend refrigerating or freezing with the eggs.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
Serving: 1 serving Calories: 179 Carbohydrates: 16.2 g Protein: 9.5 g Fat: 9.5 g Saturated Fat: 2.2 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4 g Monounsaturated Fat: 4.6 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 187 mg Sodium: 373 mg Potassium: 796 mg Fiber: 4.4 g Sugar: 9.9 g Vitamin A: 3815 IU Vitamin C: 87 mg Calcium: 68 mg Iron: 2 mg
https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-shakshuka-with-fresh-or-canned-tomatoes/”>