Description
These Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Pita Pockets with Tzatziki Sauce combine ground beef and sautéed mushrooms seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin, stuffed into warm pita pockets with melty cheese and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe offers a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Mushroom Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz mushrooms, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Other Ingredients
- 4 pita pockets
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
- Cook Mushrooms and Season: Stir in the diced mushrooms and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until they soften. Season the mixture with smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: Grate the cucumber and drain excess liquid thoroughly. In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, and salt. Stir until well blended and smooth.
- Warm Pitas and Assemble: Warm pita pockets either in a dry skillet over low heat or briefly in a microwave until pliable. Carefully fill each pita pocket with the beef and mushroom mixture. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese inside each pocket.
- Melt Cheese (Optional): For an extra melty finish, place the stuffed pita pockets under a broiler for 1-2 minutes or warm them on low heat in the skillet until the cheese melts.
- Serve: Drizzle or spoon the tzatziki sauce into each pita pocket and serve immediately for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Drain grated cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki sauce.
- Use either mozzarella or cheddar cheese based on your preference.
- Broiler step is optional but adds a nice melted cheese texture.
- You can add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or mint to tzatziki for extra freshness.
- If you prefer, pita pockets can be warmed in the microwave wrapped in a damp towel for 20-30 seconds.
