Description
Arabic Pasta is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring tender pasta tossed with a spiced ground beef or lamb sauce, enriched with aromatic spices like cinnamon, allspice, cumin, and paprika. Topped with toasted pine nuts, fresh parsley, and cheese, this quick and easy recipe makes a hearty and satisfying main course perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary to reduce grease.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ground cinnamon, allspice, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the meat sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the rich spiced sauce.
- Serve with toppings: Plate the pasta and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts, chopped fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese over the top before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute lentils or chickpeas for the ground meat.
- A sprinkle of feta cheese adds a delicious tangy Middle Eastern flavor.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a refreshing cucumber yogurt salad.
