Shawarma Meat Pizza isn’t just an easy dinner recipe – it’s a meal in one that’s versatile and a kid pleaser!
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I polled my Instagram followers recently (if you aren’t following yet, get on that!), asking what kind of recipes they’re looking for now that the Jewish holidays are in the rear-view mirror and there’s just a long winter ahead of us.
And, unsurprisingly, the number one answer, from about 75% of you, was….all in one meals. I mean, who doesn’t love a sheet pan dinner, a one pot strew, or some kind of bowl with everything all together in one? When there’s a carb, a protein and a veggie in one dish, it’s the ultimate in dinner ease.
One of my favorite all-in-one dinners is this Beef and Broccoli Soup, which has your whole dinner in one pot. These Crockpot Meatballs have a hidden veggie base and spaghetti to tie the whole meal together, another fabulous all-in-one option! This sheet pan chicken and vegetable recipe doesn’t have a starch, but you can easily add one by cubing some potatoes to include with the veggies! And these chicken wraps also have a full meal in one (chicken and veggies wrapped in a starch!) and is a super easy and delicious meal.
If you also love this kind of all-in-one meal, you’re going to love today’s recipe. This Shawarma meat pizza is a full meal, with store bought pita or laffa for the base, a super-easy shawarma spiced meat topping, and a quick and easy salad to serve on top of it. The great thing about it is that you can leave the salad topping off for any kids who don’t like it, but serve it together for those that do. It’s a favorite in my home, and I’m quite confident that it’ll become a favorite in your home too.
If you’ve always thought about meat pizza as a perfect appetizer for a shabbos meal, think again. This easy dinner recipe totally works as an app for a nicer meal, but it’s definitely great as a meal on its own.
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FAQ about Shawarma Meat Pizza
Scroll past the FAQ to get to the recipe.
Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes, you can. However, note that due to the lower fat content, it may not be as juicy. For best results, I recommend dark ground chicken or dark ground turkey, rather than white. No matter what you use, watch the cooking so that it doesn’t overcook and get dried out.
Can I top the Shawarma Meat Pizza with anything instead of Tehini sauce?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of tahini sauce or don’t have it, garlic mayo works well instead. You can make the garlic mayo from this recipe, then drizzle it over the shawarma meat pizza instead of tahini.
Can this recipe be made in advance and frozen?
This meat pizza can be frozen, well wrapped. Defrost then heat uncovered, until warmed through. Top with salad and any other toppings (see below) just before serving.
Is there anything else I can add on top of this shawarma meat pizza?
Yes! Any shawarma toppings such as fried/roasted eggplant, sliced israeli pickles or cabbage salad would be fantastic on this pizza as well.
Can I skip the sauteed onions in this recipe?
If you’ve very pressed for time, you can skip the sauteed onions, but they add a lot, both in terms of flavor and texture, so I suggest using them if you can.
Another option to consider is using a few cubes of frozen sauteed onions, available in the freezer section of many kosher grocery stores.
Can I skip the mayo in step 6 or use something else in its place?
The mayo in this recipe helps keep the bread moist and helps the meat topping stick. You don’t taste or see it in the final dish, but if you want to skip it, you can use a thin layer of tahini or hummus instead.
Can this recipe be doubled?
Absolutely! You can double the recipe easily! You can also make extra meat filling, then freeze it and bake it fresh.
Can I use a different kind of bread, instead of pita or laffa?
Sure! Pita and laffa work well because they both go well with shawarma, but any bread that you like will work well. The pre-baked rectangle pizza crusts (available at many stores including trader joes) are a great option to use instead.
Some more easy dinner recipes you may want to try:
Grilled Chicken and Portobello Wraps
Sheet Pan Chicken and Broccoli
Sheet Pan Green Beans and Turkey
Quick and Easy Chicken and Pea Stew
Quick and Easy Orange Teriyaki Chicken
Crockpot Meatballs in Zucchini Tomato Sauce
Spinach Stuffed Roasted Chicken
Chicken Packets with Spinach and Peppers
Cheesy Avocado Lasagna Roll Ups
Spaghetti Cheese and Spinach Pie
Tools Needed for this Recipe:
Baking Sheet (this is my absolute favorite one!)
Frying Pan (this one with a lid is my favorite!)
Shawarma Meat Pizza
Shawarma Meat Pizza is an easy and delicious meal in one.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil, divided
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 teaspoons shawarma spice mix
- 3 laffas or 6 pitas
- Mayo, for spreading
Israeli salad:
- 4 Persian cucumbers, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3-4 plum tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of two lemons
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Techina, for drizzling
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large, deep frying pan, heat canola oil over high heat. Add
meat and sear until browned on each side, about a minute. Use a wooden spoon or other heavy utensil to break up the meat into small pieces. Add salt and stir to combine. Remove from pan and set aside. There is no need to wash the pan before continuing.
Add olive oil to pan and heat over medium heat. Add onions, salt and spices; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until softened.
Add meat back into pan and reduce heat to low. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes to combine meat and onion flavors. Remove from heat.
Spread a layer of mayo on your choice of bread. Top with meat mixture, leaving about half an inch for the crust. Bake on prepared baking sheets for 10 minutes, until the crust is crispy.
Meanwhile, prepare the Israeli salad: stir together all ingredients other than techina in a medium bowl. Once pizza comes out of the oven, top with Israeli salad and drizzle with techina just before serving.
Notes
Plan Ahead: This recipe can be prepared ahead and frozen. See FAQ in blog post for details.
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Thanks for stopping by! I know you’ll love this recipe and incorporate it into your dinner rotation! Stop by soon for more delicious food. – Miriam
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Hi Miriam, Easy, filling and delicious. I served it on pita pockets and everyone used condiments to their liking. No leftovers. Thank you for bringing amazing recipes!
Hi, I love the meat pizza recipe. Can I substitute meat substitutes in place of the ground beef?
I have vegetarians in the family.
Thank you