Description
This Arabic Pasta recipe is a delightful Middle Eastern twist on a classic comfort food favorite. With aromatic spices, savory meat, and a hint of sweetness, this dish offers a flavorful and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta of choice (penne, spaghetti, or macaroni)
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 2 large tomatoes, finely diced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Additional:
- 1/2 cup pasta cooking water
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Optional grated cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Prepare Sauce: In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and meat. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, salt, and pepper. Simmer until flavors meld.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot. Top with grated cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can make this dish vegetarian by replacing meat with cooked lentils or chickpeas.
- Adjust spices to taste—add chili flakes for heat or more cinnamon for warmth.
- Pair with a cucumber and yogurt salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop sauté
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 59 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
