Description
Arabic Pasta, also known as Makaronah, is a comforting Middle Eastern dish that combines pasta with a rich, spiced tomato sauce infused with cumin, cinnamon, and allspice. This flavorful and easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a hearty meal, garnished with fresh parsley and optionally served with lemon wedges for a zesty finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb (450g) pasta (penne, spaghetti, or any pasta you like)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice (optional)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp sugar (to balance acidity from tomatoes)
Garnish and Serving
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency if needed.
- Prepare the sauce base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook while stirring occasionally until softened and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add garlic and spices: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in ground cumin, cinnamon, allspice (if using), and chili flakes, cooking for another 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and release their aroma.
- Create the tomato sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth or water. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Add sugar to balance tomato acidity, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency. Heat through while stirring.
- Garnish and serve: Serve the Arabic pasta warm, topped with chopped fresh parsley. Optionally, provide lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish to add brightness.
Notes
- You can add cooked ground or shredded chicken, lamb, or beef for added protein.
- Incorporating vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant enhances flavor and nutrition.
- Drizzling plain yogurt on top before serving adds a creamy contrast.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preference for heat.
