Middle Eastern Pizza

This Middle Eastern-inspired pizza offers a unique twist on traditional Italian fare, combining rich, spiced ground beef with tender roasted eggplant and sweet raisins. The base is topped with a savory tomato sauce and finished with crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and juicy plum tomatoes. The blend of cumin and cinnamon adds warmth and depth, creating a complex flavor profile that balances savory, sweet, and tangy notes. It's a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The combination of textures—from the crispy crust to the soft vegetables and chewy meat—makes every bite interesting. Simple to assemble yet sophisticated in taste, this dish brings international flavors to your kitchen without requiring hard-to-find ingredients.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Greek

Courses: Main Courses

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4

Calories: 215.5

Description

This Middle Eastern-inspired pizza offers a unique twist on traditional Italian fare, combining rich, spiced ground beef with tender roasted eggplant and sweet raisins. The base is topped with a savory tomato sauce and finished with crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and juicy plum tomatoes. The blend of cumin and cinnamon adds warmth and depth, creating a complex flavor profile that balances savory, sweet, and tangy notes. It's a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The combination of textures—from the crispy crust to the soft vegetables and chewy meat—makes every bite interesting. Simple to assemble yet sophisticated in taste, this dish brings international flavors to your kitchen without requiring hard-to-find ingredients.

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3
In the same skillet, add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and chopped onions. Cook until tender and translucent, about 3 minutes.
4
Add ground beef, minced garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and salt to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and cooked through.
5
Stir in the cooked eggplant, tomato sauce, and raisins. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
6
Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the pizza crust.
7
Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese, chopped plum tomato, and fresh parsley over the top.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 215.5kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11.2g18%
Saturated Fat 3.1g16%
Cholesterol 43.1mg15%
Sodium 45.7mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 10.9g4%
Dietary Fiber 4.1g17%
Sugars 4.9g
Protein 17.6g36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: middle eastern, pizza, beef, eggplant, feta, spiced, cumin, cinnamon, raisins, garlic, tomato sauce, onions, parsley, crust, baked, fusion, vegetables, dinner, easy, family meal

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/middle-eastern-pizza/