Savory Shawarma Casserole Recipe: A Homestyle Twist

Sizzling spices and tender meat blend effortlessly in this mouthwatering shawarma casserole that promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Middle Eastern flavors dance across your plate with bold, aromatic ingredients that capture the essence of street food comfort.

Each layer of this casserole brings a rich tapestry of traditional shawarma seasonings and hearty textures.

Marinated chicken nestles between warm, fluffy rice, creating a one-pan meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

The combination of garlic, cumin, and paprika infuses every bite with an irresistible warmth that transports you straight to bustling market streets.

Simple to assemble and packed with vibrant flavors, this casserole turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Let’s find out this delectable dish and let your taste buds embark on a journey through the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Smart Cooking Tips for Shawarma Casserole

• Swap ground turkey with ground chicken or lamb for a different protein profile that adds exciting depth to your casserole.
• Adjust shawarma seasoning intensity by adding extra or reducing amount based on personal heat tolerance and preference.
• Mix in roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the meat cooking stage to increase nutritional value and create more robust texture.
• Store casserole in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating in oven at 350°F to maintain crispy pita chip topping and preserve original flavor complexity.

Ways to Serve Shawarma Casserole at the Table

• Mediterranean Feast Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp cucumber salad tossed in fresh herbs and olive oil for a refreshing contrast to the rich, warm flavors.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the casserole with crumbled feta cheese or add a side of grilled chicken skewers to increase protein intake and enhance the Mediterranean profile.
• Veggie Delight Sidekick: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant to add color, nutrition, and a delightful charred texture that complements the casserole's warmth.
• Cooling Comfort: Accompany the dish with a generous dollop of tzatziki or extra tahini sauce for a cool, tangy element that balances the casserole's robust spices and provides a creamy texture contrast.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips for Shawarma Casserole

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe and divide into meal-prep containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Each portion stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the casserole completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Wrapped tightly, this dish maintains quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat at 350°F until warmed through.
• Separation Technique: Store tahini sauce separately in an airtight container to prevent soggy toppings. Keep sauce and casserole refrigerated in different containers to maintain optimal texture and crispness.
• Topping Refresh Trick: When reheating, sprinkle extra crushed pita chips on top to restore the original crunch and add a fresh layer of flavor. Warm in the oven for best results, avoiding microwave to keep the texture intact.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 465 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients Needed for Shawarma Casserole

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth cooking foundation and helps develop deep, aromatic flavors.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweet, savory undertones and creates robust depth in the dish.
• Garlic: Introduces intense, pungent notes that elevate the overall taste profile.
• Shawarma Seasoning: Delivers authentic Middle Eastern spice blend with warm, complex characteristics.

• Ground Turkey: Lean, protein-packed meat that absorbs seasonings beautifully and creates hearty texture.
• Chicken Or Beef Broth: Ensures moisture, enhances richness, and prevents casserole from becoming dry.
• Tahini: Creamy sesame paste that brings nutty, smooth consistency and traditional Middle Eastern essence.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds tangy creaminess and helps balance spicy elements in the dish.

• Lemon: Provides bright, zesty acidic touch that cuts through richness and refreshes palate.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces juicy, slightly acidic component with natural sweetness.
• Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Parsley, Mint): Brings vibrant, green freshness and aromatic complexity.
• Basmati Rice: Offers fluffy, fragrant base that complements Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
• Pita Chips: Creates crunchy, textural contrast and adds rustic, homemade feeling.
• Lemon Wedges: Allows personal touch of extra citrusy brightness when serving.

Kitchen Tools for Shawarma Casserole Success

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing onions, garlic, and cooking ground turkey with spices.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing pita chip topping with seasonings and olive oil.
• 13×9-inch Baking Dish: Crucial for assembling and baking the entire casserole.
• Whisk: Great for blending tahini sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Helpful for accurate seasoning and ingredient amounts.

How to Make Shawarma Casserole from Scratch

• Flavor Foundation

Create a delicious base by sautéing aromatic onions and garlic in olive oil, releasing their rich, warm essence that sets the stage for a mouth-watering meal.

• Spice Awakening

Introduce shawarma seasoning to the pan, allowing the spices to bloom and fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that hints at the delectable journey ahead.

• Protein Power

Brown ground turkey with gentle seasoning, transforming the meat into a savory center of the dish that promises incredible depth of flavor.

• Liquid Symphony

Blend diced tomatoes and chicken broth into the mixture, creating a harmonious sauce that will embrace the rice and bring all ingredients together in delicious unity.

• Crispy Crown

Craft a crunchy topping using crushed pita chips tossed with olive oil and additional shawarma seasoning, promising a textural contrast that will elevate the entire casserole.

• Baking Magic

Allow the casserole to bake until the topping turns golden and crisp, filling your kitchen with tantalizing scents that signal a meal nearly ready to devour.

• Creamy Finale

Whisk together a luxurious tahini sauce that will drizzle over the finished dish, adding a cool, tangy element that perfectly complements the warm, spiced casserole.

Creamy Shawarma Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty Mediterranean shawarma casserole delivers bold spices and layers of comfort on one satisfying plate. Savory chicken, aromatic rice, and creamy sauce combine for a delicious meal that welcomes diners into a culinary journey.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground turkey
• 1.5 cups chicken or beef broth
• 3 cups cooked basmati rice
• 1 can (14.5 oz/411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 4.5 tsps shawarma seasoning
• 2 tbsps + 2 tsps olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, or mint)
• 0.5 cup tahini
• 0.25 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cups unseasoned pita chips, crushed
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Activate the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly lubricate a 13×9-inch baking vessel.
2. Flavor Foundation: In a robust skillet, caramelize onions and garlic with olive oil over medium-high heat, developing a fragrant base. Incorporate shawarma seasoning, toasting briefly to awaken the spices’ profound aromatics.
3. Protein Integration: Introduce ground turkey, breaking into delicate fragments and browning thoroughly. Merge diced tomatoes and chicken broth, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and meld flavors.
4. Structural Assembly: Weave precooked basmati rice into the meat composition, transferring the unified mixture into the prepared baking dish. Craft a crispy crown by combining crushed pita chips with residual olive oil and shawarma seasoning.
5. Culinary Transformation: Distribute the seasoned chip topping evenly across the casserole’s landscape. Roast uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the surface achieves a golden, crisp perfection.
6. Finishing Touch: Construct a luxurious tahini sauce by whisking together tahini, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and water. Once emerged from the oven, lavish the casserole with the creamy drizzle and crown with freshly chopped herbaceous elements.

Notes

• Spice Selection: Choose authentic Middle Eastern shawarma seasoning for genuine flavor depth, avoiding generic spice blends.
• Meat Temperature Control: Brown ground turkey completely to prevent potential foodborne illness, ensuring no pink remains during cooking.
• Rice Preparation: Use precooked basmati rice to maintain ideal moisture and prevent soggy casserole texture.
• Topping Crunch Technique: Crush pita chips coarsely for maximum crispiness and even golden-brown coverage across the casserole surface.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 465
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg