Description
Egyptian Goulash is a savory layered phyllo pastry filled with a spiced ground beef or lamb mixture, aromatic with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. This baked casserole features crispy, golden phyllo dough enveloping a rich, flavorful filling, optionally topped with melted cheese for added richness. Perfect for a comforting main course, it pairs wonderfully with yogurt or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Phyllo Layers
- 8 sheets phyllo dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or white cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the goulash.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook, stirring regularly, until browned and cooked through.
- Season Filling: Stir in the ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, tomato paste, and chopped parsley. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened and all flavors are well combined. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Phyllo Base: Lightly grease a baking dish. Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush it gently with melted butter. Repeat this layering and buttering process with three more sheets, creating a base of four phyllo layers.
- Add Filling and Cheese: Spread the meat mixture evenly over the layered phyllo base. If using, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or white cheese on top of the meat layer.
- Top Layers: Place the remaining four sheets of phyllo over the filling, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter as you layer them.
- Bake: Bake the assembled goulash in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dish to cool slightly after baking to set, then slice into squares and serve warm with yogurt or salad if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and lamb.
- To make a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and feta cheese.
- Serving Egyptian goulash with a side of yogurt or fresh salad enhances the meal and balances the spices.
