While I could wax rhapsodically about the joys of the Turkish dish called lahmacun–otherwise known as “Arabic pizza”–let’s take things down to a toddler’s level (literally and figuratively) here: it is, essentially, a meat and veggie flatbread. But that’s precisely what makes it so brilliant–and so perfect a dish for young people.
Our version keeps the flavor profile of the original but takes two critical liberties: a) we add more veggies to enhance its nutritional value and b) we use pre-made/pre-cooked dough to reduce the time and stress needed to get this to the table. Of course, you can totally make your own dough–we have a recipe for that, in fact–just like you can totally change out the seasoning/flavor profile to whatever you and/or your child(ren) like best–heck, use taco seasoning for all we care! Make it your own.
(Also: check out the stuffed-pita version of this dish!)
(Also also: Check out our other great toddler ground beef recipes!)
Ingredients Overview
- Minced zucchini, bell pepper, and shallot – finely chopped vegetables to bulk up nutrition and mellow the meat’s flavor, making the flatbread more toddler-friendly.
- Ground beef (or lamb) – provides protein and savory richness.
- Tomato paste (or mild tomato-based sauce) + olive oil – adds moisture, mild acidity, and helps bind the veggie–meat mix into a cohesive topping.
- Garlic, dried parsley, sumac (or za’atar), oregano, mint (optional) – gentle seasonings to bring flavor without overwhelming sensitive palates.
- Mini pitas / naan / pre-made flatbread – thin, soft bread base that cooks quickly and is easy for toddlers to hold or eat in bite-sized pieces.
Steps Summary
- Prep vegetables — Wash and chop zucchini, bell pepper, and shallot into chunks; use a blender/food processor (or chop finely) to mince them, then drain/squeeze out excess moisture.
- Blend meat + veggies + sauce — In a blender or mixing bowl, combine the minced veggies, ground meat, tomato paste (or sauce), olive oil, garlic, herbs, and seasonings; pulse/mix until the mixture becomes a cohesive paste.
- Assemble flatbreads — Spoon a generous amount of the meat-veggie paste onto each mini pita/naan, then press/spread it across the surface so it’s evenly coated.
- Bake/roast quickly — Place the flatbreads in a very hot oven (preheated to 500°F per original), and bake ~3 minutes — just long enough for the topping to brown slightly while remaining soft and moist.
- Cool and serve kid-style — Allow to cool ~5 minutes, optionally spritz with a little lemon, then cut into triangles, squares, or strips. Serve plain or with a mild dip (e.g. yogurt or tomato sauce) based on your child’s preferences.
FAQ
Q: What kind of bread works best for this recipe?
A: Thin and soft flatbreads like mini pitas or naan work best — thick sandwich bread or baguette slices don’t crisp properly in a 3-minute bake. newdadskitchen.com
Q: Can I swap the meat for ground chicken or turkey?
A: Yes. The recipe is flexible: you can use ground turkey, chicken, or lamb — but adjust cooking slightly if the meat is leaner so the pita doesn’t dry out.
Q: My child is a picky eater — can I sneak in more veggies?
A: Absolutely. You can finely grate or mince additional mild vegetables (carrot, zucchini, spinach) into the mix. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture and keep the paste thick enough to spread on the bread.
Q: Is this suitable for freezing or make-ahead meal prep?
A: Yes. You can assemble the topped flatbreads, freeze them (on a sheet until solid), then bake directly from frozen — you might need to add a minute or two for the topping to warm through.
Q: How do I adapt this for younger toddlers or finger-food stages?
A: Cut into small, manageable strips or triangle bites, ensure the topping isn’t too thick, and let them explore it like a soft “pizza-slice” — the familiar format often helps with acceptance.
Recipe Links
What to Serve With Meat and Veggie Flatbread
- A Vegetable Packed Hummus for Infants and Toddlers — A lentil- and cauliflower-boosted hummus that leans Middle Eastern in flavor and is perfect for dipping flatbread strips or raw veggies.
- Foolproof Zucchini and Feta Dip When Your Kiddo(s) Hate Vegetables — A creamy, Mediterranean-style zucchini and feta spread that pairs naturally with lahmacun-style flatbread.
- How To Make The Best Broccoli For Kids — Crispy-tender, mayo-roasted broccoli that adds an easy green veg to the plate without extra fuss.
- This Cheesy Orzo Will Be Your Toddler’s New Favorite Side — A creamy, broccoli-studded orzo that works as a soft, scoopable side next to the meat and veggie flatbread.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- The Best Kabobs for Toddlers (Kotlet) — Potato-and-beef patties with similar savory, high-protein vibes and Middle-Eastern-ish flavor, served in an easy handheld format.
- Looking For An Easy Toddler Dinner? Try a Meat Pancake — A pan-fried, potato-meat “pancake” that scratches the same comfort-food itch as lahmacun in a different shape.
- The Best Dinner for Picky Eaters (Baby Bulgogi) — A mild, toddler-friendly take on Korean barbecue that hits the same “savory ground meat + familiar carbs” category for dinner rotation.
Delicious and Easy Meat and Veggie Flatbread (Lahmacun)
Description
A simple, veggie-packed meat-and-tomato flatbread topped on mini pita or naan — juicy, mild, and full of hidden veggies, perfect for toddlers or picky eaters. Ready in under 20 minutes and easily cut into kid-friendly pieces to make dinner stress-free and nutritious.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Preheat oven to 500. If using frozen bread or dough, take out of the freezer; if necessary, preheat or bake according to instructions.
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Wash and unpeel the zucchini, onion, and bell pepper. Cut each into a few pieces to make it easier for your blender or food processor to break down, then blend/chop until minced. Drain the blender and allow the mixture to drain excess moisture for at least ten minutes. (You can–and should–also squeeze the mix to leech out any additional water.)
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To the blender add the tomato sauce, two generous swirls of olive oil, the vegetable mixture, and the ground meat. On top, add the garlic; a lot of dried parsley; and a handful of sumac or zaatar, oregano, and mint. Pulse contents of the blender until they become a pinkish paste.
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Scoop out a big spoonful of the meat mixture and place onto a piece of the bread you are using. Using your fingertips, gently spread out the meat all across the top surface of the bread; add more where it is thin. Repeat for additional pieces of bread you are using.
Cook
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Place in the oven and cook for three minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when there is a little browning up top but the meat is still paste-like and attached to the bread.
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Remove from oven, allowing to cool for five minutes; spritz lemon all around surface before serving.
Serve
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How does your kid like pizza? I’d cut it the same way: triangles, squares, little circles–whatever they’re comfortable with. Heck, I’d even suggest telling your child it’s pizza. Feel free to top with cheese or serve with tomato sauce (or ketchup) for full effect--that’s what I had to do the first two times I served this in order to acclimate my child to eating this.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 small flatbread
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 300kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 15g24%
- Sodium 200mg9%
- Potassium 400mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 27g9%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Protein 17g34%
- Vitamin A 900 IU
- Vitamin C 30 mg
- Iron 2.5 mg
- Vitamin D 5 IU
- Vitamin E 1 mg
- Phosphorus 200 mg
- Zinc 3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Thin and doughy is the key to making the dish work. I’ve found miniature pitas, naans, and other similar flatbreads work best; sandwich bread or baguette slices do not work as well. You can use pizza dough/crust, but be sure and cook it fully before topping with the meat–the recipe’s quick cooking time does not leave enough time on its own for a crust to go from raw to crisp.
User Reviews
We had some extra meat and pita lying around, so tried this one out. It was a good toddler ground beef recipe