Shakshuka: The Origin and an Easy, Healthy Recipe

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Shakshuka: The origin and an easy, healthy recipe! This one-pan Shakshuka is bursting with aromatic spices, flavor, and nutrients. Serve this rich, tomato and egg soup with crusty bread.

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About Shakshuka

Shakshuka. You’ve seen this traditional dish all over the internet. Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram – you name it! What does it look like? Red tomato sauce, tender poached eggs, vibrant green spinach, and plenty of Middle Eastern Spices.

Shakshuka is like an Arabic version of the Mexican favorite Huevos Rancheros. And I’m guessing that it’ will soon become your favorite go-to easy weeknight meal. This tomato dish is delicious for breakfast or brunch too, especially served with a thick slice of crusty bread.

This easy, one-pan, healthy Shakshuka recipe is incredibly tasty, thanks to plenty of garlic, cumin, and paprika. The dish originates in North Africa and the Middle East and it’s full of nutrient-dense vegetables. Plus, shakshuka is one of my favorite recipes to feed a crowd. It’s vegetarian, quick to throw together, and a healthy comfort food for chilly months.

Finally, you can top your healthy shakshuka with any of your favorite flavorings, from crumbled cheese to fresh herbs to extra dried spices.

Shakshukas Origin

Shakshuka (or Shakshouka) originates in North Africa and the Middle East. However, the exact origin of Shakshuka is disputed. Some say Tunisians invented the savory egg and tomato dish. Others say it originated in Morocco, and still, others say Yemen or Turkey. However, regardless of where it came from, shakshuka is a staple dish all over North Africa. It’s traditionally served directly out of a cast-iron skillet or a tajine.

So, What is Shakshuka?

Shakshuka is a dish that always includes eggs poached in an aromatic tomato and red pepper sauce. Classic shakshuka recipes include sautéed onions and garlic, plus fragrant cumin and paprika. The result is a vibrant, healthy, and comforting dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Is Shakshuka Healthy?

Absolutely! Shakshuka is a naturally vegetarian, gluten-free and vegetable-filled dish.

With a tomato-based sauce, this recipe packs a lot of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. In addition, tomatoes are an excellent dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene. Studies link this compound to many health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Furthermore, eggs are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K, and lecithin. Finally, the shakshuka spices cumin and paprika offer important benefits, including aiding digestion.

Why we love Shakshuka

This is a quick and easy one-pan dinner recipe. It’s easy to throw together and easy to clean up!
Shakshuka is fresh tasting and healthy. It’s full of vegetables and spices.
You can make this recipe to feed one person or many! For a bigger batch, use a larger cast iron pot and double the recipe to feed a crowd. Likewise, use a smaller skillet and just two eggs to prepare a filling meal for one.
Finally, you can easily add other ingredients to mix up the flavors in the traditional shakshuka recipe.

Here are some ideas to spice up your homemade shakshuka:

Extra veggies: I always add spinach, but other greens, radishes, carrots, zucchini, and broccoli all add crunch and color to shakshuka
Meat, such as minced lamb, minced beef, or sausage
Plant-based proteins like tofu or tempeh
Cheese, especially crumbled feta, queso fresco and halloumi add creaminess to shakshuka

How do you like to flavor your shakshuka for breakfast or dinner? Let me know in the comments, I can’t wait to try it!

An Easy, Healthy Shakshuka Recipe

Here is my quick and easy one-pan recipe for savory and satisfying shakshuka at home:

Heat oil in a pan on low/medium heat. Then add garlic, onions, and red bell peppers to the pan and sauté for a few minutes. Next, add cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Finally, Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Add tomato purée and stir for 1 minute. Then, add 1 can of tomatoes and stir.
Bring to a boil and leave to simmer for 10 minutes (adjust the seasoning if necessary).
Add spinach and stir. Then create 4-5 wells and crack the eggs open into each well. Cover the pot with a lid and leave to cook for 5-7 minutes.
Finally, sprinkle parsley on top and serve.

FAQs

Can I Reheat Shakshuka To Make Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can quickly reheat leftover Shakshuka in a microwave or on the stove. If you’re short on time and doing some meal planning, you can always make a big batch of shakshuka ahead of time and reheat it when hunger strikes.

Can I Freeze Shakshuka?

Yes, you can freeze shakshuka in an airtight container for up to two months. Or, refrigerate the dish for 3-4 days. Ultimately, however, shakshuka is truly best when it’s hot off the stove. The eggs will cook further each time you reheat them, so if you love runny egg yolk, eat it fresh.

Can I use canned tomatoes to make Shakshuka?

Absolutely, I always rely on canned tomatoes for the most flavorful tomato sauce. However, you prefer fresh, they will also work. Simply chop them up and add them as directed in the recipe. The sauce may need to simmer a little longer to thicken up with fresh tomatoes.

Can I make Shakshuka for one?

Yes, in fact, Shakshuka is an ideal dish to prepare for one. Simply half the ingredients and follow the recipe as written, using a smaller skillet or clay pot.

Alternatives

Traditionally, shakshuka is served with feta sprinkled on top. Feta adds a lovely tangy bite to the dish.
For a meatier Shakshuka, add chopped chorizo or sausage pieces. Add the chorizo just a few minutes before the eggs.
If you’d like more protein, feel free to add beans to your Shakshuka. Chickpeas are usually the first beans of choice, but feel free to add your favorite kind. To use beans, add a drained and rinsed can or pre-cooked beans a few minutes before the eggs.

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