Description
Delightful Afghan Pasta brings together rich Middle Eastern spices and hearty noodles in a comforting culinary journey. Fragrant herbs and tender meat create a memorable meal that connects family and tradition on one satisfying plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Base:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups water
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can tomato sauce
Yogurt-Mint Sauce:
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- Salt to taste
- A splash of water to adjust consistency
For Assembly:
- 1 pound (454 grams) pasta (such as farfalle or fusilli)
- 2 bunches green onions, sauteed and chopped
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a spacious skillet and sauté onions until they turn translucent and slightly golden, releasing their aromatic sweetness.
- Introduce ground beef and garlic to the skillet, breaking the meat into fine crumbles and browning it thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors.
- Infuse the meat with a complex spice blend including coriander, onion powder, garlic powder, dried mint, turmeric, black pepper, and cayenne, stirring continuously to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Pour water, tomato paste, and tomato sauce into the skillet, creating a robust sauce that will simmer and gradually thicken, melding all the spices and creating a luxurious meat mixture.
- Reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently bubble, concentrating its flavors for approximately 15-20 minutes until it reaches a rich, clingy consistency.
- Whisk yogurt with dried mint and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl, thinning the mixture with water to create a smooth, pourable sauce that will complement the spiced meat.
- Cook pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender yet firm, ensuring each strand maintains its integrity when coated with sauce.
- Arrange pasta on a large serving platter, creating an inviting base for the dish’s layers.
- Generously spoon the spiced meat sauce over the pasta, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
- Drizzle the cool, refreshing yogurt-mint sauce over the warm meat, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
- Repeat layering as desired, building depth and complexity in each serving.
- Garnish with sautéed green onions and fresh cilantro, adding a final burst of color and vibrant herbal notes.
Notes
- Boost meat flavor by using high-quality ground beef with slightly higher fat content for richer taste and juiciness.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper amounts, making the dish mild or spicy according to personal preference.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or rice pasta without compromising authentic Afghan taste profile.
- Enhance yogurt sauce texture by using thick Greek yogurt, which provides creamier consistency and deeper tangy undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Afghan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg