Irresistible Shawarma Casserole Recipe: A Family Favorite Twist

Shawarma casserole refines traditional street food into a mouthwatering home-cooked delight that celebrates robust Mediterranean flavors.

Warm spices dance through tender layers of protein and vegetables, creating a harmonious culinary symphony.

The kitchen quickly fills with an irresistible aroma that hints at the delectable meal ahead.

Each carefully crafted layer promises a perfect balance of textures and seasonings that elevate comfort food to an art form.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish bridges cultural culinary traditions with home-style cooking techniques.

The magic happens when familiar ingredients merge into something extraordinary and deeply comforting.

Prepare to experience a burst of flavor that will transport you to bustling street markets and vibrant kitchens.

Shawarma Casserole: Bold, Flavorful, and Hearty

• Spice Up Your Dinner: Bursting with authentic Middle Eastern shawarma flavors, this casserole transforms traditional street food into a comforting home-cooked meal that delivers bold, exciting taste in every bite.
• Crunchy Textural Delight: The crispy pita chip topping creates an irresistible golden-brown crunch that perfectly contrasts the tender ground turkey and fluffy rice underneath, making each forkful an exciting texture adventure.
• Effortless Gourmet Cooking: With just one baking dish and simple preparation steps, this recipe allows home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques or hours of labor, making delicious international cuisine accessible to everyone.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with substantial protein, balanced macronutrients, and a generous serving of herbs and spices, this casserole offers a well-rounded meal that satisfies hunger while providing essential nutrients in a single hearty dish.

Key Ingredients for Shawarma Casserole

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that provides a hearty base for the casserole, best when fresh and not frozen.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and moisture to the dish, low-sodium options work well.

• Basmati Rice: Fragrant long-grain rice that provides a light and fluffy texture, preferably pre-cooked.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor builders that create a robust foundation for the shawarma casserole, fresh and firm produce is recommended.

• Shawarma Seasoning: Signature Middle Eastern spice blend that gives the dish its authentic flavor profile, can be store-bought or homemade.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall taste, freshly ground pepper is preferable.

• Pita Chips: Provides a crispy texture and traditional shawarma-style crunch, can be store-bought or homemade.
• Olive Oil: Helps bind and crisp the pita chip topping, extra virgin olive oil recommended.

• Tahini: Nutty sesame paste that creates a creamy sauce, look for pure sesame tahini.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds tanginess and creaminess to the sauce, full-fat version provides better flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce with fresh acidity, freshly squeezed is best.
• Cold Water: Helps adjust sauce consistency.

• Fresh Herbs: Adds brightness and color to the final dish, parsley or cilantro work well.

How to Make Shawarma Casserole

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Get a large baking dish ready by lightly greasing its surface.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Pinch of salt

Cook until onions become soft and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

Stir in shawarma seasoning and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground turkey and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until meat is completely browned.

Step 4: Create Casserole Mixture

• Diced tomatoes
• Chicken broth

Bring mixture to a boil. Fold in cooked basmati rice and transfer entire mixture to prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Craft Crunchy Topping

• Crushed pita chips
• Olive oil
• Remaining shawarma seasoning
• Additional salt and pepper

Spread mixture evenly across casserole surface.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until pita topping turns dark and crispy.

Step 7: Prepare Creamy Tahini Sauce

• Tahini
• Cold water
• Greek yogurt
• Lemon juice

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 8: Serve With Flair

Drizzle tahini sauce over baked casserole. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs before serving.

Tips for Perfecting Shawarma Casserole

• Master Your Seasoning: Toast shawarma spices briefly to unlock deeper, richer flavors before adding to the dish.
• Prevent Soggy Topping: Crush pita chips coarsely to maintain crunchiness and ensure a satisfying textural contrast.
• Rice Perfection: Use day-old rice or freshly cooked rice that's slightly cooled to prevent mushiness in the casserole.
• Sauce Balance: Adjust tahini sauce consistency by adding water gradually until you reach a smooth, drizzle-friendly texture.
• Herb Enhancement: Chop fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro just before serving to preserve their vibrant color and maximum flavor impact.

How to Keep Shawarma Casserole Fresh

• Storing Leftovers: Transfer cooled casserole to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Properly stored shawarma casserole will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep tahini sauce separately in a sealed container to prevent sogginess.
• Freezing Method: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen casserole can be stored for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Instructions: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For larger servings, warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

Best Side Dishes to Serve with Shawarma Casserole

• Zesty Mediterranean Wine Companion: Pair this shawarma casserole with a crisp, light white wine like Assyrtiko from Greece or a Sauvignon Blanc. These wines cut through the rich, spiced flavors and complement the dish's Mediterranean profile.
• Refreshing Herbal Beverage Match: Serve with mint lemonade or a chilled cucumber-mint drink. These cool, herbal beverages balance the warm spices and provide a refreshing contrast to the casserole's robust turkey and rice base.
• Tangy Yogurt Sidekick: Accompany the dish with extra tzatziki or a simple cucumber-yogurt salad. The cool, creamy texture and tangy flavor enhance the shawarma seasoning and provide a delightful counterpoint to the crunchy pita chip topping.
• Vibrant Salad Partner: Add a simple Israeli salad with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley dressed in lemon and olive oil. This bright, fresh side dish cuts through the casserole's richness and adds a light, zesty element to the meal.

Fun Twists on Shawarma Casserole

• Mediterranean Chicken Switch: Replace ground turkey with diced chicken breasts for a lighter protein option, maintaining the same cooking technique and seasoning intensity.
• Vegetarian Grain Bowl Style: Swap ground turkey with roasted chickpeas or lentils, adding extra vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a plant-based version with similar spice profile.
• Lamb Fusion Casserole: Use ground lamb instead of turkey for a richer, more traditional Middle Eastern flavor, keeping the same rice and seasoning foundation.
• Spicy Moroccan Version: Increase shawarma seasoning and add harissa paste to amplify heat, incorporating diced preserved lemons for an extra tangy complexity.

Shawarma Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Middle Eastern shawarma meets comforting casserole in this hearty dish that blends aromatic spices with tender chicken and creamy layers. Families will savor each spoonful of this quick and satisfying meal that brings international flavor right to the dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground turkey
• 1.5 cups chicken or beef broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 0.5 cup fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, or mint)

Seasonings and Bases:

• 4.5 teaspoons shawarma seasoning
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 0.5 cup tahini
• 0.25 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 cups cooked basmati rice
• 2 cups unseasoned pita chips, crushed
• Lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a 13×9-inch baking dish with light grease.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high temperature, sautéing finely chopped onions and minced garlic with a delicate salt sprinkle until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Introduce shawarma seasoning to the skillet, toasting the spices for 60 seconds to release their aromatic essence.
4. Add ground turkey to the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper, breaking the meat into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned with no pink remaining.
5. Pour diced tomatoes and chicken broth into the meat mixture, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle simmer.
6. Fold in precooked basmati rice, thoroughly incorporating all ingredients, then transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish.
7. Create a crispy topping by combining crushed pita chips with additional olive oil, remaining shawarma seasoning, salt, and pepper, mixing until evenly coated.
8. Distribute the seasoned pita chip mixture uniformly across the casserole’s surface.
9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the topping becomes golden brown and crunchy.
10. While the casserole bakes, whisk together tahini, cold water, Greek yogurt, and fresh lemon juice, seasoning the sauce with salt and pepper to create a smooth, tangy drizzle.
11. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and generously drizzle with prepared tahini sauce.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs before serving to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Transforming traditional shawarma into a hearty, comforting casserole that brings Middle Eastern flavors right to your dinner table.
• Perfectly balanced layers of seasoned ground turkey, fragrant rice, and crunchy pita chip topping create a memorable meal everyone will love.
• Customize the spice level by adjusting shawarma seasoning or adding extra pepper for a personalized kick.
• Tahini sauce adds a creamy, tangy element that brightens the entire dish and complements the rich, savory base.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully, making this a fantastic make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or meal prep enthusiasts.
• Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro provide a burst of freshness and color that elevates the final presentation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 710 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 66g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 90mg