Easy Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza: A Flavorful Mediterranean Delight
Transform your dinner routine with this incredible Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza! It features crispy pita bread as the base, generously topped with a creamy layer of your favorite hummus, savory spiced ground beef, juicy diced tomatoes, fresh parsley, and crunchy toasted pine nuts. This versatile dish is not only a fantastic option for a quick and satisfying dinner but also makes a delightful and unique appetizer for any gathering. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean right in your own kitchen!
The Irresistible Charm of Pita Pizzas (or “Pitzas”)
There’s something truly special about pita pizzas, which I affectionately call “pitzas.” They offer a delightful canvas for creativity in the kitchen, allowing you to whip up a fun, flavorful, and incredibly versatile meal that caters to everyone’s tastes. Forget the mundane; these individual-sized culinary wonders are an invitation to experiment with an array of vibrant ingredients and exciting flavor combinations.
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Beef & Hummus Version
This particular Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza recipe stands out as a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece. It layers the familiar comfort of crispy pita bread with the rich, earthy flavors of your favorite hummus, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and a burst of freshness from diced tomatoes and fragrant fresh parsley. The final touch of golden, toasted pine nuts adds an irresistible crunch and nutty aroma that elevates the entire experience. It’s a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more.
Family-Friendly Customization for Everyone
One of the greatest advantages of making pita pizzas is their incredible adaptability, making them an ideal choice for family dinners. You can easily lay out all the ingredients and let each person become their own chef, crafting a “pitza” that perfectly suits their individual preferences. Children, especially, love getting involved in the cooking process. Perhaps ground beef isn’t their top choice? No problem! They can opt for different toppings, creating their own unique combination from the available ingredients. You could even offer some Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas as an extra protein boost for those who prefer an alternative or simply want to add more texture.
The possibilities for toppings are virtually endless. While this recipe highlights a specific set of delicious ingredients, don’t hesitate to think outside the box. Consider adding olives, thinly sliced red onion, bell peppers, cucumbers, or even a sprinkle of feta cheese for an extra layer of Mediterranean goodness. I often find myself serving a crisp, refreshing salad alongside these pitas, and sometimes, I even top the pita itself with a handful of that vibrant salad for a fresh twist. Favorites include this Easy Lebanese Salad, an Israeli Salad, or a refreshing Persian Tomato Cucumber Salad, all of which complement the rich flavors of the spiced beef and hummus beautifully.
Inspired by Authentic Mediterranean Flavors
The inspiration for this particular Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza recipe stems from my enduring love for a local Mediterranean restaurant, Aladdin’s Eatery. They boast an entire section of their menu dedicated to these delightful pita pizzas, featuring a range of options from Greek Pitzas to the Farmer’s Pitza and the classic Arayiss Pitza. My husband is a loyal fan and consistently orders one of their pitzas whenever we visit. After countless shared bites and experiencing the incredible flavors, I knew I had to try recreating this magic in my own kitchen.
The Harmony of Flavors in Every Bite
The flavor profile of this Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza is truly exceptional. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and utterly delicious experience. The hummus provides a wonderfully creamy and light base, contrasting beautifully with the rich, deeply spiced ground beef. The beef is seasoned with warm, aromatic spices like allspice and cinnamon, which are characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine, offering a comforting depth of flavor. Topping it all off are the fresh, vibrant diced tomatoes, bright parsley, and the satisfying crunch of toasted pine nuts. Together, these elements create a harmonious explosion of taste and texture that transports you straight to the heart of the Mediterranean.
Beyond Dinner: A Fantastic Appetizer for Any Party
While we frequently enjoy these pita creations as a fulfilling meal, they are equally magnificent as an appetizer for a party or gathering. Their individual size makes them perfect for sharing. All you need to do is slice each pita round into small, bite-sized triangles and arrange them appealingly on a platter. They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser, offering a gourmet touch that’s both exotic and comforting. Imagine serving these at your next get-together, impressing your guests with a unique and flavorful snack that’s far from ordinary.
Explore More Pita & Flatbread Creations
If you’re as enthusiastic about pita and flatbread dishes as I am, you’ll be delighted to know there’s a world of variations to explore. Some of my other favorite recipes include this savory Spiced Ground Lamb Pita, a classic Greek Pita Pizza, the versatile Mediterranean Flatbread, and a flavorful Mediterranean Naan Pizza. Each offers a unique spin on the beloved flatbread concept, perfect for expanding your culinary repertoire.
Simplicity Meets Deliciousness: An Effortless Meal
These Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizzas are incredibly easy to assemble, which is precisely why they’ve become such a favorite in my household. The preparation process is straightforward and enjoyable, even for novice cooks. The beauty of this recipe lies in its efficiency. You can significantly cut down on prep time by preparing all the ingredients ahead of time. Cook the ground beef, dice the tomatoes, chop the parsley, and toast the pine nuts in advance. When it’s time to eat, simply assemble and bake, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
Endless Customization Possibilities
Beyond the core recipe, these pita pizzas are wonderfully customizable. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors of hummus – from roasted red pepper to jalapeño – to add a unique twist. Incorporate a variety of fresh vegetables such as thinly sliced cucumbers, olives, bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach. A sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese can introduce a salty tang, while a drizzle of plain Greek yogurt after baking adds a cooling creaminess that beautifully balances the warm spices of the beef. Let your pantry and your imagination guide you!
Watch How Easy It Is to Create This Culinary Delight!
I’m thrilled to demonstrate just how incredibly simple it is to prepare this delicious Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza. Once you have your perfectly seasoned ground beef ready, the rest is practically effortless. It merely involves layering each pita bread with the vibrant ingredients, then a quick toast in the oven for about ten minutes until the pita is wonderfully crispy and the toppings are warmed through. You’ll be amazed at how such minimal effort yields such maximum flavor.
For a visual guide, be sure to watch the video below, which walks you through each step, proving just how attainable this amazing Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza is for anyone:
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Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza
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Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon ghee , {clarified butter}
- 1/4 cup sweet onion, chopped
- 1 lb. ground beef, I use 80/20
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Dash pepper
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, {optional}
- 1/2 teaspoon sumac
- 4 pita bread , rounds {try whole wheat for a healthier version}
- 1 cup hummus, divided {I like to use garlic or classic}
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced, divided
- 1/2 cup parsley, chopped, divided
- 3 Tablespoons pine nuts, toasted, divided
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 F.
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In a large skillet heat the ghee {clarified butter} over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
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Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper (if using) and sumac. Continue to sauté, breaking up the beef, for 7-8 minutes, or until the beef is thoroughly browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary, then set the spiced beef aside.
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Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast for about two minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them as they toast quickly. Remove from the skillet immediately and set aside.
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Arrange your four pita rounds on two baking sheets. Begin by spreading a generous, even layer of your chosen hummus over each pita. Next, evenly distribute the cooked spiced ground beef among the four pitas. Follow by scattering the diced tomatoes, fresh chopped parsley, and toasted pine nuts over the beef.
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Place the baking sheets into the preheated oven and toast the pitas for 10 minutes, or until the edges of the pita become golden and slightly crispy, and the toppings are warmed through. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Spiced Beef and Hummus Pita Pizza!
Notes
- Try adding feta cheese to these pita pizzas for an extra salty, tangy kick.
- If you can’t find ghee {I found mine at Trader Joe’s, and you can also find it at most ethnic and Middle Eastern markets}, you can easily use olive oil or unsalted butter in its place for cooking the beef.
- You can use any flavor of hummus you like! I typically reach for garlic or classic hummus for this recipe, but feel free to experiment and mix things up with roasted red pepper, spicy, or even a lemon-herb variety.
- For an extra layer of creaminess and a cooling contrast to the spices, try adding a drizzle of plain yogurt (Greek yogurt works wonderfully) to each pita pizza after it comes out of the oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.