Shakshuka (Eggs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)

Shakshuka brings eggs and a thick tomato-pepper sauce together in one pan, with the eggs gently poached so the whites set while the yolks stay soft. Widely enjoyed across Middle Eastern cooking, it is the kind of dish that suits breakfast, brunch or a simple supper, especially when served straight from the pan with warm bread for scooping. The sauce should be well reduced rather than watery, with softened onion, ripe plum tomatoes, red pepper, garlic, cumin and sweet paprika giving it a savoury, lightly spiced depth. Keeping the heat gentle once the eggs are added helps preserve the soft texture that makes the dish so satisfying.
Cuisine style Middle Eastern and North African-style home cooking
Spice level Mild
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Layered tomato sauce: Softened onion and red pepper create a sweet base before garlic, cumin and paprika add savoury warmth.
  • One-pan cooking: The sauce and eggs cook in the same frying pan, keeping the method simple and the serving style relaxed.
  • Soft-set eggs: Gentle covered cooking helps the whites set while keeping the yolks soft, so they enrich the tomato sauce when served.

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Authenticity notes

  • Regional context: Shakshuka is widely associated with Middle Eastern and North African cooking, with many local versions built around tomatoes, peppers, spices and eggs.
  • Serve from the pan: Bringing the pan to the table is part of the dish’s appeal, especially with warm bread for scooping up the sauce.

Ingredient notes

  • Use ripe tomatoes: Ripe plum tomatoes break down into a richer, more spoonable sauce than under-ripe tomatoes.
  • Paprika sets the heat level: Sweet paprika keeps the dish warm and rounded; hot paprika gives a sharper, spicier version.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make the sauce ahead: The tomato-pepper sauce can be cooked in advance, then reheated gently before adding fresh eggs.
  • Reheat before adding eggs: Warm the sauce until piping hot in the pan, then crack in the eggs and cook them to order for the best texture.

Common mistakes

  • Adding eggs to a loose sauce: The sauce should be thick and spoonable before the eggs go in; if it looks watery, simmer it uncovered for a little longer.
  • Overcooking the eggs: Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the whites are set, allowing the eggs to finish gently in the residual heat.
  • Cooking too fiercely: Once the eggs are added, keep the heat gentle so the sauce does not spit and the egg whites set without becoming tough.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Prepare your veg: finely slice the onion, slice the red pepper, and finely grate the garlic. Roughly chop the plum tomatoes.
  2. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and red pepper with the fine sea salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly sweet.
  3. Stir in the garlic, ground cumin and sweet paprika and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and a good grind of black pepper, then cook for 2 minutes to start breaking them down.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and spoonable. Taste and adjust with a pinch more fine sea salt or black pepper if needed.
  5. Make 4 small wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each. Cover and cook gently for 6 to 8 minutes until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft, or cook a little longer if you prefer firmer yolks.
  6. Remove from the heat and rest for 2 minutes so the eggs finish setting in the residual heat. Serve straight from the pan.

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Recipe notes

Serving suggestions

This recipe pairs well with:

Warm bread

Tips

  • Keep the heat low once the eggs go in; a gentle simmer helps the whites set without toughening.
  • If your tomatoes are watery, simmer the sauce a few minutes longer uncovered until it turns thick and glossy.
  • Eggs should be cooked until the whites are set; if serving anyone vulnerable, cook the yolks until firm.

Substitutions

  • Replace sweet paprika with hot paprika for a spicier shakshuka.
  • Replace extra virgin olive oil with vegetable oil for a more neutral flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat the sauce gently in a frying pan until piping hot, then crack in fresh eggs and cook to your liking; cooked eggs tend to overcook when reheated.

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Shakshuka (Eggs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 35min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Allergens:
    Eggs
Beginner friendly With serving suggestions One pot Kid friendly

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