Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 3 Comments

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Have you ever tried Eggs in Purgatory? If not, stop what you're doing and make this immediately for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Easy, healthy and delicious - plus it comes together in less than 15 minutes. 240 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP.
Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (1)

Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe

I'm wondering why it has taken me so long to make eggs in purgatory, or uova in purgatorio as it is called in Italian. The tongue in cheek name refers to the spicy tomato sauce and the eggs (representing those poor souls who inhabit Purgatory!) cooking in its fiery heat. And the flavors just can't be beat!

Traditionally, eggs in purgatory recipes involve poaching the eggs directly in the sauce, but this version is a slight variation on that theme, using fried eggs rather than poached. Either method works and both produce a dish that's full of flavor, nutrients and protein that works for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

If you follow me on Instagram stories, you likely saw that I was cooking from a new cookbook earlier this week. Mary Younkin of Barefeet in the Kitchen has put out a cookbook, The Weekday Lunches & Breakfast Cookbook (affiliate link), that is packed full of fantastic recipe ideas, including this easy egg recipe.

Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (2)

The book contains recipes that are easy to put together, including an entire section on make-ahead recipes that have been tested for refrigerator and freezer storage. Perfect for meals throughout the week. Some of the recipes that caught my eye? Crispy Green Chile Pork Skillet, Savory Oatmeal with Mushrooms and Egg and In-A-Hurry White Chicken Chili, to name a few.

How to make eggs in purgatory:

  • Start by making the easy marinara sauce. The ingredients list may be simple, but with a ton of garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, the flavor is out of this world! I decreased the olive oil slightly from the original recipe.
  • While the sauce is simmering, cook the eggs. As mentioned above, the eggs in this recipe are fried, but you could also poach the eggs directly in the sauce. If you use the poaching method, cover the pan with a lid to help steam the eggs.
  • The original recipe called for cooking the eggs in butter, but I opted for lightly coating the skillet with cooking spray. Butter, ghee, olive oil spray...any of the those would work.
  • If preferred, make the tomato sauce ahead of time and refrigerate. Reheat while cooking the eggs, then serve.

Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (3)

Other healthy egg recipes:

{Cookin' Canuck}
{Cookin' Canuck}
Breakfast Bowls with Chicken Sausage & Egg Whites {Dinners, Dishes & Desserts}
Spinach & Mozzarella Egg Bake {Kalyn's Kitchen}

Printable Recipe

Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (4)

Italian Eggs in Purgatory

Have you ever tried Eggs in Purgatory? If not, stop what your doing and make this immediately for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Easy, healthy and delicious - plus it comes together in less than 15 minutes. 240 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, Entrees

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Clean Eating

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 240.3kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Warm the oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, oregano and basil. Saute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 2 minutes.

  • While the sauce is simmering, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Add 2 eggs to the skillet. When the edges of the eggs turn white, season lightly with salt and pepper. Add water to the pan and cover with a lid. Cook for 2 minutes, until the eggs are done to your liking. Slide the cooked eggs onto a plate and tent with foil. Repeat the steps with 1 to 2 more eggs.

  • Scoop the sauce into bowl and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle egg bowl with parsley, if desired, and slide an egg over the top. Serve with the crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 3 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 6 (Points+)

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bowl | Calories: 240.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 16.2g | Fat: 13.1g | Saturated Fat: 4.9g | Cholesterol: 199.8mg | Sodium: 822.2mg | Fiber: 3.9g | Sugar: 9.1g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (5)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Mimi

    Great recipe. I usually cook the eggs in the sauce. But either way, this is great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

    Reply

  2. KalynsKitchen

    That looks tasty! And I am really excited to get to meet Mary at Everything Food next weekend!

    Thanks for the shout-out for my recipe too!

    Reply

  3. Mary

    Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (10)
    I'm thrilled that you liked the recipe, Dara! I'm all about the easy recipes too. This one is a kid favorite in my house!

    Reply

Italian Eggs in Purgatory Recipe - Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between eggs in purgatory and shakshuka? ›

The main difference between shakshuka and eggs in purgatory is the spices and herbs. Skakshuka features Middle Eastern spices, such as cumin and sweet paprika. Eggs in purgatory does not include these spices and uses Italian herbs, such as oregano and basil.

What to serve with eggs for dinner? ›

Some healthy side dishes that go well with eggs include: roasted or sautéed vegetables, such as bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms. a simple green salad. avocado or guacamole.

What to serve with shakshuka? ›

Here are some other ideas for what to serve with shakshuka:
  1. Bagels!
  2. Roasted potatoes.
  3. Couscous.
  4. Rice.
  5. Quinoa.
  6. Greek salad.
  7. Hummus.
Apr 2, 2023

What is another name for shakshuka? ›

In Andalusian cuisine, the dish is known as huevos a la flamenca; this version includes chorizo and serrano ham. In Italian cuisine, there is a version of this dish called uova in purgatorio (eggs in purgatory) that adds garlic, basil or parsley.

Can you eat shakshuka for lunch? ›

This shakshuka recipe is satisfying and delicious for any meal of the day! An easy one-pan dish, it features eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. Shakshuka is one of my favorite breakfasts…and lunches…and dinners.

How do you eat egg shakshuka? ›

Crack eggs and evenly distribute over the surface of the sauce. Cover skillet and cook until the yolks are cooked to your liking, about 5-7 minutes. Remove lid and baste whites with the sauce, trying not to break the yolks. Sprinkle shakshuka with feta and parsley and serve with crusty bread or warm pita for dipping.

Should eggs be served in breakfast or dinner? ›

Except for its cholesterol content, one egg is a healthy option for breakfast lunch or dinner. Research shows that the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to negatively affect the human body compared to other sources of cholesterol.

How many eggs should I eat a day? ›

Eating one to three eggs per day can have several health benefits, but this varies from person to person. At this level of consumption, people can expect minimal changes in their cholesterol levels. It is unclear whether there is an upper limit on how many eggs a person can eat per day.

How do you order eggs for dinner? ›

A Dozen Ways To Order Up Your Eggs
  1. Scrambled. Ah, yes, just like my brain on drugs. ...
  2. Sunny Side Up. Like two delicious little eyeballs. ...
  3. Over Easy. Flipped over, still runny. ...
  4. Hard Boiled. Firm all the way through! ...
  5. Soft Boiled. It's got a gooey center, just like you! ...
  6. Poached. True mastery. ...
  7. Benedict. ...
  8. Scotch.

Do you eat shakshuka in a bowl or plate? ›

A deconstructed plate

Slightly fold it in a way you can hold it with your hands, and eat immediately! The other option consists in adding all the ingredients in a plate, together with some pita triangles (you can warm them up a little beforehand) and eat the shakshuka plate with fork and knife!

What time do you eat shakshuka? ›

Popular in Israel, shakshouka is a savory egg entree made with tomatoes, peppers and onions. Though it's most commonly served as a main dish for breakfast, it's also eaten for lunch and dinner.

Which country is shakshuka from? ›

Shakshuka is a simple dish made of gently poached eggs in a delicious chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce. Said to have originated in Tunisia, this breakfast recipe is popular in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East. It is so satisfying, you can serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

What is the English translation of shakshuka? ›

shakshouka, a Maghrebi (North African) dish, popular throughout the region, featuring poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce, seasoned with peppers, onion, garlic, and various spices. The word shakshouka comes from Maghrebi Arabic dialect and means “mixed.”

Did Jews invent shakshuka? ›

Originally coming from countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco it became popular in Israel from the Tunisian Jews. Some people believe the dish was invented in the Ottoman Empire and spread throughout the Middle East – often served with a spicy sausage.

What is the difference between shakshuka and huevos rancheros? ›

These two dishes are completely different. Huevos rancheros are fried eggs served with warm salsa on a fried tortilla and Shakshuka are eggs poached in a zesty tomato sauce.

Are Turkish eggs the same as shakshuka? ›

Turkish Menemen and Israeli shakshuka are very similar but differ in the method and seasoning. Both are breakfast dishes where eggs are cooked in a tomato sauce. In menemen the eggs are virtually scrambled into the sauce, whereas shakshuka eggs are placed on the sauce and only slightly mixed.

What is the difference between shakshuka and menemen? ›

The spice varieties vary depending on where it's served. Shakshuka features a thick, saucy tomato base of peppers and onions with baked eggs. With menemen, the concept is a little different. Think of it as more of a soft egg scramble with lots of silky green peppers and fresh tomato.

What is the difference between shakshuka and strapatsada? ›

Whilst strapatsada uses subtle flavours such as green peppers, pepper, basil or parsley and scrambles the eggs with feta cheese, shakshuka gains its distinctive flavour from spices such as (at least) cumin and turmeric, and requires that you poach the eggs towards the end of the cooking process.

References

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