Description
These Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Pita Pockets with Tzatziki Sauce are a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired main course. Ground beef is cooked with mushrooms, onions, and aromatic spices, then combined with melted mozzarella cheese and served inside warm pita pockets with fresh lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a creamy tzatziki sauce. This quick stovetop recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Assembly
- 4 pita pockets, halved (8 halves total)
- 1 cup chopped lettuce
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Cook Beef and Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up as it browns.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the finely chopped onion, mushrooms, and minced garlic. Continue to cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the beef is fully cooked.
- Season Mixture: Add dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 additional minute to let the flavors meld.
- Melt Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded mozzarella until it melts and combines evenly with the beef mixture.
- Warm Pita: Gently warm the pita halves in the oven or microwave until soft and pliable.
- Assemble Pita Pockets: Fill each pita half with a generous spoonful of the cheesy beef and mushroom mixture, then top with chopped lettuce, diced tomato, and sliced red onion.
- Add Tzatziki Sauce: Finish each pita pocket with a dollop of tzatziki sauce and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or lamb for the beef to vary the flavor.
- For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice or sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese inside the pita pockets before serving.
- These pita pockets are ideal for meal prep—store the beef mixture, vegetables, and tzatziki sauce separately and assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh.
