Baked Egyptian Hawawshi with Spiced Ground Beef Filling
A baked Egyptian sandwich featuring pita bread stuffed with a savory blend of spiced ground beef, onions, and peppers. This middle eastern-inspired beef ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef (80% lean), medium onion, finely chopped, green bell pepper, finely diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large pita breads
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 medium finely chopped onion, 1 finely diced green bell pepper, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 medium finely chopped tomato.
- Step 2: Add 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the meat mixture. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
- Step 3: Cut each of the 2 large pita breads in half horizontally to create pockets. Carefully open each pita half and stuff generously with the spiced beef mixture, pressing evenly to fill without tearing.
- Step 4: Brush both sides of each stuffed pita with 2 tbsp olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Step 5: Arrange the stuffed pitas on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the bread is golden and crisp, and the meat is cooked through.
- Step 6: Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges and serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Egyptian Hawawshi with Spiced Ground Beef Filling take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Egyptian Hawawshi with Spiced Ground Beef Filling?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef (80% lean) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Egyptian Hawawshi with Spiced Ground Beef Filling?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Egyptian Hawawshi with Spiced Ground Beef Filling for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Egyptian Hawawshi with Spiced Ground Beef Filling?
Middle Eastern beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
