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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a 13×9-inch baking dish with light grease.
- 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.
- Introduce shawarma seasoning to the skillet, toasting the spices for 60 seconds to release their aromatic essence.
- 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.
- Pour diced tomatoes and chicken broth into the meat mixture, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle simmer.
- Fold in precooked basmati rice, thoroughly incorporating all ingredients, then transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Create a crispy topping by combining crushed pita chips with additional olive oil, remaining shawarma seasoning, salt, and pepper, mixing until evenly coated.
- Distribute the seasoned pita chip mixture uniformly across the casserole’s surface.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the topping becomes golden brown and crunchy.
- 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.
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and generously drizzle with prepared tahini sauce.
- 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