Matzo Recipe Ideas for Passover

The best way to make quick, tasty meals during Passover is to use matzo as a base for your favorite toppings. Matzo serves as a cracker or sandwich bread stand-in. The crispiness of matzo contrasts the soft toppings which makes a winning combination. Here are some of the best matzo recipe ideas for easy Passover breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.

Other casual meal options during the week of Passover include Matzo Meal Pancakes, Matzo Lasagna, Matzo Brei, and Baked Vegetable Frittata.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Matzo Recipes
• The 6 Best Matzo Toppings
• Variations for the base
• Storage and Make Ahead
• What to Serve with Matzo Recipes
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Comments

Why You'll Love These Matzo Recipes

• Fast and easy but oh-so-tasty.
• Can customize and make it your own.
• These matzo combinations will bring back nostalgic memories or will quickly become new favorites.

The 6 Best Matzo Toppings

Try out these matzo recipe ideas for an easy Passover meal.

1. Matzo Pizza

No Passover week is complete without Matzo Pizza. It's beloved by adults and kids alike. And it comes together in under 10 minutes. Make a topping bar, and have your family make their own matzo pizza with their favorite toppings. 

Check out my full Matzo Pizza recipe for all the tips and details.

2. California Avocado Matzo Toast

This matzo topped with avocado is modeled after my favorite avocado toast at Food cafe in Los Angeles. It has colorful toppings and plenty of flavor. The creamy avocado wonderfully juxtaposes the crunchy matzo and produce toppings. It’s a winner.

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium avocado, mashed
• ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or lime juice
• 1 sheet of matzo
• 1 radish, thinly sliced
• 5 cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• ⅛ teaspoon olive oil, as drizzle

Directions: In a medium bowl, mix the mashed avocado with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon juice. Spread onto the matzo. Top with radish slices, cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil.

3. Lox and Cream Cheese Matzo

This classic lox and cream cheese pairing really makes a piece of matzo extra special. It’s a brunch party in every bite. You can replace the lox and cream cheese with my Smoked Salmon Mousse Spread.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cream cheese 
• 1 sheet of matzo
• 1 teaspoon capers 
• 4-6 pieces of sliced lox
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• fresh dill sprigs for garnish

Directions: Spread cream cheese onto the matzo. Top with lox, a squeeze of lemon over the lox, capers, and dill.

4. Matzo Tuna Salad

My first Passover lunch is usually matzo with tuna salad. It’s especially tasty with chopped pickles or pickle relish. Topping it off with some microgreens and thinly sliced red onions takes it to the next level.

Ingredients:

• 1, 5-ounce can solid white albacore tuna in water
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon finely diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons finely diced pickles (about 1 medium pickle)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
• ⅛ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt, optional
• ½ stalk celery, chopped small, optional
• 1 sheet of matzo
• Handful of microgreens as garnish

Directions: In a medium bowl, mash the tuna so it is in small pieces. Mix in remaining ingredients (except for the matzo and microgreens), and taste to adjust seasonings to your liking. Top the matzo with tuna salad and a sprinkle of microgreens.

5. Matzo Egg Salad

Egg salad is a must as a matzo topping. The soft egg with crunchy matzo is an irresistible match. And it’s a great way to use up leftover eggs from the seder plate.

When I start to run low on egg salad and tuna salad, I make a two layer affair with a thin layer of tuna salad and then a thin layer of egg salad on top so you get a little of each in every bite. My father “invented” this idea, and the two are terrific together.

Ingredients:

• 3 hard boiled eggs
• 1 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives (or scallions), plus more for garnish
• ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
• Handful of arugula
• 1 sheet of matzo

Directions: Chop or grate the eggs into small pieces. Mix with mayonnaise, mustard, chives, salt, and pepper. Place arugula onto the matzo. Top with egg salad. Garnish with extra chives.

6. Matzo with Nutella and Sliced Bananas

My kids especially love Nutella. There are a few different kosher for Passover chocolate hazelnut spread options available in kosher markets and online. This spread + banana combination is also fantastic with nut butters. Or sliced strawberries pair well with chocolate spread too.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons Nutella or kosher for Passover chocolate hazelnut spread
• 1 sheet of matzo
• About 1 banana, sliced

Directions: Spread Nutella onto the matzo. Top with sliced bananas.

Variations for the base

Matzo comes in many flavors and variations that go well with these toppings including gluten free matzo and matzo crackers (bite-sized). Other Passover-friendly bases that work with many of these toppings include smashed potatoes, jicama slices, and cucumber slices.

Storage and Make Ahead

How to store: Leftovers that have already been assembled will likely become soggy. It’s best to store leftover components separately. 

How to freeze: Don’t freeze. 

Make ahead: Some of the toppings can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days like egg salad and tuna salad. Store components separately, and assemble just before serving. 

What to Serve with Matzo Recipes

These soups and salads are great additions to a Passover meal.

Frequently Asked Questions