Cheesy Turkish Pide with Spiced Beef Recipe
Cheesy Turkish Pide with Spiced Beef is a delicious and savory boat-shaped flatbread filled with a flavorful mix of ground beef, aromatic spices, and melted cheese. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender spiced beef with fresh vegetables and mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection for a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 lb ground beef (or lamb)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or pulsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Dough and Assembly
- 2 (8 oz) pizza dough balls, room temperature
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Turkish cheese
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
- Parsley, for garnish
- Chili flakes, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the pides.
- Sauté Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, bell pepper, tomato, and garlic; cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Stir in the tomato paste along with cumin, paprika, kosher salt, cinnamon, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Shape Dough: Place each pizza dough ball on a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a 12-inch by 6-inch oval shape. Transfer each oval to the prepared baking sheet.
- Assemble Pides: Spoon half of the beef filling evenly down the center of each dough oval. Top each with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or Turkish cheese. Fold the edges of the dough slightly over the filling and pinch the ends to create a boat shape that holds the filling inside.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the exposed dough edges with the beaten egg to give the crust a golden color during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish the pides with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of chili flakes. Slice and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground lamb for traditional flavor or ground beef for a milder taste.
- Use Turkish white cheese, feta, or mozzarella for authentic cheesy topping.
- To make the dough from scratch, use basic pizza dough ingredients and allow it to rise before shaping.
- Egg wash gives the crust a beautiful golden sheen but can be omitted or replaced with milk for a vegetarian variation.
- Leftover filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and used as a topping for other dishes.
