This Easy Shakshuka Recipe is a classic Middle Eastern dish featuring perfectly cooked eggs nestled in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. Made with simple pantry ingredients and fresh herbs, it’s a flavorful breakfast, brunch, or light dinner that comes together in one pan. If you’re looking for a comforting and authentic meal, this traditional shakshuka is a wonderful choice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare with everyday ingredients
- One-pan meal with minimal cleanup
- Packed with rich tomato flavor and warm spices
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner
- Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free
- Family-friendly and easy to customize
- A delicious way to enjoy eggs and vegetables together
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 6 large eggs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the chopped garlic, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Stir continuously and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour the canned tomatoes and their juices into the pan. Use a spoon to break the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Using a spoon, create six small wells in the sauce.
- Carefully crack one egg into each well.
- Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the eggs reach your preferred doneness. Covering the pan with a lid will help the eggs cook faster.
- Remove from heat and garnish generously with fresh cilantro and parsley.
- Serve immediately with warm bread, pita, or crusty toast.
This Easy Shakshuka Recipe is best enjoyed fresh while the eggs are perfectly set and the sauce is warm and flavorful.
Tips & Tricks
- Use ripe fresh tomatoes when in season for an even fresher flavor.
- Cover the pan while cooking the eggs for quicker results.
- Add feta cheese for a creamy, tangy variation.
- Adjust the chili powder to control the heat level.
- For extra vegetables, add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Serve with toasted pita bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Avoid overcooking the eggs if you prefer runny yolks.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern, North African
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Notes
- Substitute cilantro with additional parsley if preferred.
- Add crumbled feta cheese before serving for extra richness.
- Serve alongside olives, cucumber salad, or fresh bread.
- For a heartier meal, add cooked chickpeas to the tomato sauce.
- Fresh herbs significantly enhance the flavor of traditional shakshuka.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fat: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
FAQ
What is shakshuka?
Shakshuka is a traditional Middle Eastern and North African dish made with eggs gently cooked in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce.
Can I make shakshuka ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the tomato sauce ahead and refrigerate it. Reheat the sauce and add fresh eggs when ready to serve.
Is shakshuka spicy?
Traditional shakshuka has mild warmth from spices, but you can increase or decrease the heat to suit your taste.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely. Use about 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes and simmer the sauce slightly longer.
What should I serve with shakshuka?
Crusty bread, pita bread, flatbread, cucumber salad, or roasted vegetables pair wonderfully with shakshuka.
Can I freeze shakshuka?
The tomato sauce freezes well, but it’s best to add fresh eggs after thawing and reheating.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers 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 gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add fresh eggs and cook before serving for the best texture.
Similar Recipes
Easy Shakshuka Recipe (Easy & Traditional)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
- 6 large eggs
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 small bunch fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the chopped garlic, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Stir continuously and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour the canned tomatoes and their juices into the pan. Use a spoon to break the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Using a spoon, create six small wells in the sauce.
- Carefully crack one egg into each well.
- Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the eggs reach your preferred doneness. Covering the pan with a lid will help the eggs cook faster.
- Remove from heat and garnish generously with fresh cilantro and parsley.
- Serve immediately with warm bread, pita, or crusty toast.
- This Easy Shakshuka Recipe is best enjoyed fresh while the eggs are perfectly set and the sauce is warm and flavorful.
Notes
- Substitute cilantro with additional parsley if preferred.
- Add crumbled feta cheese before serving for extra richness.
- Serve alongside olives, cucumber salad, or fresh bread.
- For a heartier meal, add cooked chickpeas to the tomato sauce.
- Fresh herbs significantly enhance the flavor of traditional shakshuka.
Conclusion
This Easy Shakshuka Recipe combines simple ingredients, bold spices, and perfectly cooked eggs into a satisfying one-pan meal. Whether you’re preparing a leisurely weekend brunch or a quick weeknight dinner, this authentic shakshuka delivers comforting flavors and impressive results every time.