Classic Shakshuka

Classic Shakshuka

A beloved Middle Eastern and North African one-pan dish of eggs poached directly in a rich, spiced tomato and pepper sauce. Deeply savory, warmly spiced, and endlessly satisfying — this is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. Ready in under 40 minutes with pantry staples, and best served straight from the skillet with crusty bread for dipping.

4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 28 min · Total 38 min

Main Course

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp sweet paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground coriander
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 6 eggs large
  • 3 oz feta cheese crumbled
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Lid
  • Knife
  • Pan
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Saute Pan
  • Can Opener

Instructions

  1. Heat the @[Olive Oil] in a large, deep #[Skillet] or #[Saute Pan] over ^[medium heat]. Add the diced @[Yellow Onion] and both @[Red Bell Pepper] and @[Green Bell Pepper]. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and the onion is translucent, about ~[8 minutes].
  2. Add the minced @[Garlic] and cook for ~[1 minute] more, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the @[Garlic] burn.
  3. Add the @[Cumin], @[Smoked Paprika], @[Sweet Paprika], @[Coriander], and @[Cayenne Pepper]. Stir the spices into the vegetables and cook for ~[1 minute] to bloom them. The pan will smell incredibly fragrant.
  4. Pour in the @[Tomatoes] and @[Water]. Add the @[Sugar], @[Kosher Salt], and @[Black Pepper]. Stir everything together well, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to ^[medium-low]. Let it simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for ~[12–15 minutes] until the sauce thickens noticeably and the @[Olive Oil] begins to separate slightly on the surface. Taste and adjust @[Kosher Salt] as needed.
  6. Using a large #[Wooden Spoon], create 6 shallow wells evenly spaced in the sauce. Crack one @[Egg] into each well. Season the eggs lightly with a pinch of @[Kosher Salt] and @[Black Pepper].
  7. Cover the #[Skillet] with a lid and cook over ^[medium-low heat] until the egg whites are fully set but the yolks are still runny, about ~[5–7 minutes]. For firmer yolks, cook ~[8–10 minutes]. Check frequently — eggs go from perfect to overdone quickly.
  8. Remove from heat. Scatter crumbled @[Feta Cheese] over the top, then sprinkle with fresh @[Parsley] and @[Mint]. Finish with a drizzle of @[Extra Virgin Olive Oil]. Serve immediately straight from the pan with crusty bread or warm pita for scooping.