Description
These Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Pita Pockets are a delicious and satisfying meal featuring a savory mixture of ground beef, sautéed mushrooms, and melted mozzarella cheese stuffed into whole wheat pita breads. Served with refreshing Tzatziki sauce and an optional parsley garnish, this recipe balances hearty flavors with a creamy, tangy finish, perfect for a quick dinner or lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Mushroom Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Assembly
- 4 whole wheat pita breads
- 1 cup Tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until they are soft and translucent to build the flavor base.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked through, ensuring no pink remains.
- Add Mushrooms and Seasoning: Stir in the chopped mushrooms, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes or until the mushrooms become tender and fragrant.
- Incorporate Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese until it melts and combines thoroughly with the beef and mushroom mixture, creating a creamy filling.
- Prepare Pitas: Warm the pita breads slightly in a toaster or oven if desired, to make them more pliable. Carefully open each pita pocket to make space for the filling.
- Assemble Pita Pockets: Spoon the cheesy beef and mushroom filling evenly into each pita pocket, distributing the mixture so each pocket is generously filled.
- Add Tzatziki Sauce: Drizzle the Tzatziki sauce generously over the filling in each pita pocket, adding a cool and tangy dimension to the dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish each pita pocket with fresh parsley for added color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with cheddar or Monterey Jack depending on preference.
- For a lighter option, use low-fat mozzarella cheese and lean ground beef.
- Homemade Tzatziki sauce can be made by mixing Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill for freshness.
- These pita pockets can be warmed in a toaster oven or conventional oven to avoid sogginess.
- Leftover filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
