Description
These Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Pita Pockets with Tzatziki Sauce are a quick, satisfying dinner packed with savory ground beef, umami mushrooms, melty cheese, and a cool, tangy yogurt sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Beef & Mushroom Filling:
1 lb ground beef
8 oz mushrooms, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
4 pita pockets
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cup Greek yogurt
½ cucumber, grated and drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Salt, to taste
Instructions
Make the Filling:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened (2–3 minutes).
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (5–6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in mushrooms and cook until soft and liquid evaporates (3–4 minutes).
Season with smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix and set aside.Prepare the Tzatziki:
Grate the cucumber and squeeze out extra moisture using a towel.
In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and salt. Chill until serving.Assemble the Pitas:
Warm pita pockets in a skillet or microwave until pliable.
Stuff each with the beef mixture, sprinkle cheese inside.
To melt cheese, heat in a skillet or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.Serve:
Drizzle or spoon tzatziki sauce into each pita. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey or chicken.
The filling and tzatziki can be made ahead and stored separately.
Don’t skip squeezing the cucumber—it keeps the sauce from becoming watery.
Add fresh spinach, arugula, or chopped tomatoes for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pita
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg