Don't miss out on my vegetarian cheese shakshuka tastes just like pizza. Made with stringy Jarlsberg cheese, this is the vegetatrian shakshuka you'll make again and again!
Shakshuka with cheese is not a well known way to eat shakshuka. But once you taste it, you will wonder why: how come people didn't clue in that a shakshuka that tastes just like pizza can only be AMAZING??
This post is a partnership with Jarlsberg Cheese. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible; I am proud to only work with companies that I truly believe in.
Memories of Dr. Shakshuka
When I was 16, my friends and I started a new tradition, and Dr. Shakshuka was at its epicentre.
Every month or so, usually on Tuesdays, we would skip school, hop on a cheap bus and go to Tel Aviv. There we would visit the artisanal market in the morning, and then head on down to Jaffa, where we'd stroll for hours through art galleries and the stalls of Israel's largest flea market.
We would usually end our tour with a meal at Dr. Shakshuka. While there, we always shared a large salad and, depending on the number of girls, one or two shakshukas. Large and overflowing with toppings, these were the best shakshuka we ever had.
It was there I fell in love with eggplant shakshuka and discovered green shakshuka. And most importantly, tasted the wonder that is cheese shakshuka: a dish that tastes just like pizza.
Ingredient Spotlight: Jarlsberg Cheese
If you've been here a while, you KNOW I love cooking with Jarlsberg. It's a cheese I always have in the fridge for cooking, because its mild flavor means it pairs beautifully with many foods while still holding its own. It's a versatile cheese that's good in vegetarian dishes and even with meat.
In my house, we eat a lot of Jarlsberg cheese. My son is a huge fan of its nutty flavor, and ate 100 grams all by himself! No joke, the rate at which that child goes through cheese is alarming.
And most importantly, we love Jarlsberg for how well it melts! There's nothing like biting into a Jarlsberg grilled cheese or even a lasagna, and getting those stretchable strings of cheese pulling from your mouth!! It's also great for arepas con queso and cheesy balkan bourekas with eggplant.
Other than Jarlsberg, I also enjoy crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese.
Equipment
- One large skillets, preferably non-stick
- One spatula
- Liquid measuring cup
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
Directions for making Vegetarian Shakshuka with Cheese:
Prep the vegetables
Dice the onion coarsely. Dice the hot pepper finely. Mince the garlic. Dice the tomatoes into cubes.
Fry onions and peppers
Set your pan to medium heat. Add oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until it becomes translucent, 5 mins. Add the hot pepper and garlic and saute until it softens, about 1 minute.
Make spiced tomato sauce.
Add tomatoes to pan. Continue sauteing, while stirring for a few minutes until the tomatoes soften and begin to break down into a chunky tomato sauce, about 5 minutes.
Add salt and black pepper. Add the tomato paste and 50 ml of water, and stir.
Cook over medium-low heat for another 10 minutes.
Add the eggs to your cheesy shakshuka
Create little nests in your sauce, and carefully add the eggs, one egg per nest.
Close with a lid and cook for 2 minutes. Open the lid and sprinkle the grated Jarlsberg cheese between the yolks. Using a wooden spoon, carefully mix the cheese into the sauce.
Close again with a lid, lower the heat and cook for 5-10 minutes (or until the level of softness you like your yolks).
Serve with fresh cilantro and good bread
Sprinkle with freshly diced cilantro.
Serve cheese shakshuka with fresh challah or large focaccia. Add my Russian syrniki or my raspberry ricotta cheesecakeas part of a Passover or Shavuot meal.
Top Tips for making vegetarian shakshuka
Use as many tomatoes as you use eggs
A typical adult will eat 1-2 eggs. I usually make 1 egg per adult, and a few extras.
Don't skimp on the cheese! The stringy, stretchable Jarlsberg cheese is what makes this dish.
The sauce keeps very well, and can be served atop pasta, cauliflower rice or regular rice.
Scaling the recipe
Feel free to increase the recipe as much as you need, depending on the size of your pan and how many people you're feeding. A person will usually eat 1-2 eggs each. If you increase the eggs, increase the amount of tomato sauce as well - I like to use one tomato per egg.
Can you store shakshuka with cheese for later?
I don't recommend keeping eggs from shakshuka with cheese for later, but the cheesy tomato sauce will keep very well and can be served with pasta, rice or cauliflower rice.
Recipe
Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.
Vegetarian Cheese Shakshuka Recipe
Equipment
- One large pan, preferably non-stick
- One spatula
- Liquid measuring cup
Ingredients
- 5 Eggs
- 1 hot pepper
- 1 Onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 5 Tomatoes
- 100 g Tomato paste
- 100 g Jarlsberg cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 TBs Canola oil
- 50 ml water
Instructions
- Dice the onion coarsely. Dice the hot pepper finely. Mince the garlic. Dice the tomatoes into cubes.
- Set your pan to medium heat. Add oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until it becomes translucent, 5 mins. Add the hot pepper and garlic and saute until it softens, about 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes to pan. Continue sauteing, while stirring for a few minutes until the tomatoes soften and begin to break down into sauce, about 5 minutes.
- Add salt and black pepper. Add the tomato paste and 50 ml of water, and stir.
- Cook over medium-low heat for another 10 minutes.
- Create little nests in your sauce, and carefully add the eggs, one egg per nest.
- Close with a lid and cook for 2 minutes. Open the lid and sprinkle the grated Jarlsberg cheese between the yolks. Using a wooden spoon, carefully mix the cheese into the sauce.
- Close again with a lid, lower the heat and cook for 5-10 minutes (or until the level of softness you like your yolks).
- Sprinkle with freshly diced cilantro.
- Serve cheese shakshuka with fresh challah or large focaccia.
Notes
Nutrition
Jael says
Dr,Shakshuka:) They really have great shakshukas, but I have never had cheese shakshuka, which looks sooo delicious:)
kseniaprints says
Once you try it, you'll be won over, Jael! Happy Purim 🙂
Courtney says
Such a great breakfast! And I agree, bring on all the cheese!
kseniaprints says
Thanks, Courtney!
Chef Dennis says
My wife will surely love this pizza!
kseniaprints says
Hahah I'm glad 😉
Marina says
Great recipe, I love cheese and will definitely try it!
kseniaprints says
It's soooo easy and delicious!
Raquel says
Cheesy goodness and easy to make!
kseniaprints says
All the cheese!
Chef Dennis says
This dish looks amazing. I wish I could eat that right now!
kseniaprints says
Thanks. You already commented on this one though...
Audrey says
I love shakshuka reminds me of when we would vacation in Israel! I can't wait to try this cheesy one.
kseniaprints says
I think it'll really take you back to Israel!
Ramona says
Oh my! This was divine! Just incredible for a cheese lover like myself. Kids wanted more - it vanished in no time. Will make it again.
kseniaprints says
Ramona, I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed it!!
michele h peterson says
Delicious and uncomplicated to make - something I always appreciate! It reminds me of the breakfasts I enjoyed in Turkey
kseniaprints says
Yes!!! It's very similar to Turkish breakfasts.
Deanna says
Delicious. We love pizza, but I don’t always want the carb heavy dough. This was a perfect alternative and tastes just like the real thing.
kseniaprints says
That's exactly how I feel. Don't always want the dough!
Alex says
Such delicious flavours - and simple to prepare! Thank you for this tasty recipe.
kseniaprints says
Alex, it's my pleasure!
Faith says
This looks amazing! I think I have to try this.
kseniaprints says
I hope you do, Faith - and let me know how you like it.
Lilly says
So delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again!
kseniaprints says
Thanks, Lilly!
Raquel says
Cheesy goodness at its best!
kseniaprints says
Mounds of cheesy goodness!
ANGELA says
Wow this cheese shakshuka is super yummy
kseniaprints says
thanks!
Jessie says
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! I love anything with cheese and eggs, so I can't wait to make this!
kseniaprints says
Hahhaah then this will be 100% up your alley!
FOODHEAL says
I love those bright tomatoes, they make me long for summer.
This recipe is a new discovery for me. It looks yummy.
kseniaprints says
It was a new discovery for me as well the first time I made it! So, so good and addictive.
Kim Guzman says
Such a beautiful and appealing looking meal. The tomatoes are just gorgeous. Can't wait to try it.
kseniaprints says
Thank you, Kim!!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This dish looks amazing. I wish I could eat that right now!
kseniaprints says
Thanks my dear!!
Sue says
I am all about the cheese so this is the perfect shakshuka for me!