Description
Experience the rich flavors of Afghan cuisine with this easy-to-make Afghan Pasta. Layered with a hearty meat sauce and topped with a refreshing yogurt-mint sauce, it’s a delightful twist on traditional Afghan dishes. Perfect for a quick dinner, this recipe combines healthy homemade ingredients for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 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)
- 1.5 cups water
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
For the Yogurt-Mint Sauce:
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- Salt to taste
- A splash of water to adjust consistency
For Assembly:
- 1 lb pasta (such as farfalle or fusilli)
- 2 bunches green onions, sautéed and chopped
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion in oil until translucent.
- Add the ground beef and minced garlic, cooking until browned.
- Stir in the ground coriander, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried mint, turmeric, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add the water, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and let it cook on low heat until the sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare the Yogurt-Mint Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix the plain yogurt with dried mint and salt. Add a splash of water to achieve a pourable consistency.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Place a layer of cooked pasta on a serving platter.
- Spread a portion of the meat sauce over the pasta.
- Drizzle some of the yogurt-mint sauce over the meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers as desired.
- Top with sautéed green onions and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with lentils or black beans.
- Adjust the spice levels by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper.
- This dish pairs well with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg