Greek Pita Pizza: Fast, Flavorful, and Your New Favorite Weeknight Mediterranean Meal

Transform your ordinary pizza night into an extraordinary Mediterranean feast with this incredible Greek Pita Pizza recipe! Imagine a perfectly crispy pita bread base, generously topped with richly seasoned ground lamb, a vibrant mix of briny olives, creamy feta cheese, tangy pickled red onions, and a fresh scattering of peppery arugula. It’s a meal that’s as easy to prepare as it is satisfying to eat, making it ideal for those hectic weeknights when you crave something delicious without the fuss. This recipe yields four delightful pita pizzas, perfect for a cozy dinner for two with leftovers, or easily scaled up for family and friends.

Life can be incredibly demanding, and I’m sure many of you can relate to the daily juggle. For me, two things remain constant:

1. My unwavering love for pizza in all its forms.
2. The reality that by the time dinner rolls around, my energy reserves are often running on empty after a productive day.

While I thoroughly enjoy the process of making a homemade pizza dough from scratch for elaborate creations like Prosciutto Arugula Pizza on a relaxed day off, the thought of kneading dough or waiting for it to rise after a full day of work – especially when I’ve been busy testing complex cake recipes or meticulously shooting cookies – is often the last thing I want to tackle. The desire for a satisfying, home-cooked meal is strong, but the bandwidth to execute it is significantly diminished.

This feeling is universally understood. Perhaps you’re a dedicated nurse, on your feet for hours, caring for patients. Or maybe you work in retail, navigating challenging customer interactions for an eight-hour shift. Even office work can be mentally draining, particularly for introverts who find extensive networking events or constant collaboration profoundly exhausting. In these moments, the siren song of takeout or the convenience of a frozen pizza is incredibly appealing. Yet, the adult in us whispers about budgeting, saving for future goals, and making healthier choices.

So, what’s the solution for a delicious, quick, and budget-friendly dinner? My answer often circles back to pizza. The beauty of pizza lies in its versatility; you can pile almost any topping imaginable onto it. What’s even better is that not all pizzas require a traditional yeast-leavened dough, which is where innovative alternatives like my Caprese Flatbread or this vibrant Greek Pita Pizza come into play.

The Magic of Pita Bread as a Pizza Crust

The humble pita bread steps up as an exceptional crust for this recipe. Once crisped to perfection in the oven, you’ll be amazed at how little you miss the conventional dough. It offers a light, airy, yet satisfyingly crunchy base that perfectly complements the rich toppings. Forget heavy, thick crusts; pita provides a delightful textural contrast that elevates the entire dish.

Instead of relying on a standard pizza sauce, this Greek Pita Pizza takes a different, more flavorful approach. We start by cooking ground lamb in a savory tomato sauce, infusing the base with deep, aromatic flavors. Not a fan of lamb? No problem! Ground beef makes an excellent and equally delicious substitute. And of course, no pizza is complete without a generous helping of cheese and an array of fresh, vibrant toppings.

The Inspiration: Quick & Simple Pizza Solutions

My first encounter with the brilliance of pita pizza was through one of Nigella Lawson’s cookbooks, though I can no longer recall which specific one after a significant book donation before a move. What I distinctly remember, however, was the revelation of how simple and quick it was to prepare a satisfying pizza. The basic idea was transformative: brush pita bread with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, bake until lightly crisp, then pile on your favorite toppings. Voila! Dinner was ready in mere minutes, a true game-changer for busy evenings.

Embracing Mediterranean Flavors: Our Greek Toppings

Given pita bread’s strong association with Mediterranean cuisine, it felt natural to infuse these pizzas with classic Greek flavors. We’re talking succulent ground lamb, which offers a rich, distinctive taste, complemented by the sharp tang of pickled red onion, the salty crumbled goodness of feta cheese, and the briny punch of olives. To add a delightful freshness and a hint of peppery bite, a handful of arugula is scattered on top, creating a mini “salad” component that brightens every mouthful.

Effortless Toppings for Maximum Flavor

To make these pizzas even more effortless, I often opt for a jarred Santorini Medley. This convenient blend typically features Greek olives, aromatic garlic, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and piquant capers, all pre-sliced and ready to use. This means zero prep work for these delicious ingredients – just spoon them on and enjoy! The combination offers a fantastic depth of flavor that truly captures the essence of the Greek islands.

My personal love for olives runs deep. I was that child who could happily polish off an entire can of black olives, treating them like a savory snack. Even as an adult, my parents know the way to my heart: for special occasions like Christmas and my birthday, they visit the deli and fill a container with an assortment of stuffed olives just for me. There was even one memorable time they brought me olives purely because they were visiting – a delightful perk of adulthood, indeed! This appreciation extends to olive oil as well; it’s my absolute go-to for nearly all my cooking, its rich, fruity notes enhancing countless dishes.

Achieving Perfection: Cooking Your Pita Pizzas

One of the key considerations for this recipe is striking the right balance in baking time. The goal is to melt the mozzarella cheese beautifully, ensuring the ground lamb mixture is securely in place and gooey, but without over-baking the pita itself, which can lead to a dry or brittle crust. After some experimentation, I’ve found a method that consistently delivers superb results:

1. Start by baking the olive-oil brushed pita bread for 4 minutes.
2. Flip the pita and bake for another 4 minutes. This initial baking ensures a firm, golden base.
3. Once the lamb mixture and mozzarella are added, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.

If your chosen toppings don’t require any cooking (like pre-cooked chicken or raw vegetables that you want lightly warmed), you can adjust the initial pita baking. Bake the pita for 5 minutes on each side to get it wonderfully crispy. If it still feels a bit soft to your liking, pop it back in for another 2-3 minutes. The key is a crispy foundation!

Making it a Complete Meal: Serving Suggestions

While Greek Pita Pizza is incredibly satisfying on its own, you can easily turn it into a more substantial meal with a few simple additions. A light, refreshing side salad with a lemon-herb vinaigrette would be a perfect complement, cutting through the richness of the lamb and cheese. For a hearty and comforting pairing, consider serving it alongside a warming bowl of soup, such as a traditional Hungarian Kohlrabi Soup or a simple lentil soup, which echoes the Mediterranean theme beautifully. Fresh tzatziki or hummus on the side also makes for excellent dipping!

What Should I Do With Leftover Pita Bread?

Don’t let any leftover pita bread go to waste! It’s incredibly versatile and can be transformed into several delicious treats:

• Homemade Pita Chips: This is my favorite! Simply cut pita into wedges, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and your favorite herbs (like oregano or paprika), then bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and crispy. They are fantastic served with creamy hummus or your favorite dip.
• Serve with Hearty Bowls: Use your homemade pita chips or fresh pita wedges to scoop up flavorful dishes like Slow Cooker Gyro Rice Bowls or Greek Sloppy Joes.
• Create a Hummus Bar: Host a fun taco hummus party or simply set out a variety of hummus flavors and toppings (like quick pickled jalapenos, roasted red peppers, or olives) with warm pita bread for dipping.
• Quick Wraps or Sandwiches: Use pita bread as a convenient wrapper for quick lunches. Fill it with leftover grilled chicken, a fresh salad, or even deli meats for a portable meal.
• Breakfast Pizzas: Just like with dinner, pita bread makes an excellent base for a quick breakfast pizza topped with eggs, cheese, and a little bacon or sausage.

Greek Pita Pizza

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

Put a Mediterranean twist on pizza night with Greek Pita Pizza! Top yours with ground lamb, olives, feta, pickled red onion, and arugula for an easy yet fulfilling meal.

Ingredients

• 4 slices pita bread
• 1 teaspoon olive oil plus more for brushing
• 1/2 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup canned tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 jar Santorini Medley (Greek olives, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and capers)
• Pickled red onion (homemade recipe here)
• Feta cheese
• Arugula

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Prepare 1-2 baking sheets.
2. Lightly brush both sides of each pita bread slice with olive oil, then season sparingly with sea salt. Place the pitas on the prepared baking sheet(s). Bake for 4 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 4 minutes. This step ensures a wonderfully crispy base.
3. While the pitas are baking, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground lamb (or beef), diced onion, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the lamb is no longer pink and is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked lamb and cook for an additional 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
5. Stir in the canned tomato sauce, dried oregano, and the remaining salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened and the flavors have melded together.
6. Once the pita bread has finished its initial baking, evenly divide the savory lamb mixture and the shredded mozzarella cheese among the pitas. Return the topped pitas to the oven and bake for another 2-3 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
7. Remove the pizzas from the oven. For a final flourish of flavor and freshness, top each Greek Pita Pizza with the Mario Santorini Medley (or your chosen Greek olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and garlic), a scattering of pickled red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and a handful of fresh arugula. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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This Greek Pita Pizza recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients and a little creativity can lead to an incredibly flavorful and satisfying dinner, even on the busiest of days. Say goodbye to boring weeknight meals and hello to a taste of the Mediterranean that’s ready in under 35 minutes. Give it a try, and let us know how it brightens up your dinner routine!