Ramadan Recipes: Afghan Pasta

Afghan pasta, known for its delightful flavors and simplicity, is a perfect dish for your Ramadan table. It combines tender pasta with a fragrant blend of spices, creating a mouthwatering experience. This Ramadan, savor the essence of Afghan cuisine with this easy-to-follow recipe for a satisfying meal your family will love.
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here
Ingredients
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- 15 Minutes
- 6 Serving
- 220 Calories
- 8 garlic cloves, 6 finely chopped, 2 finely grated
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (not Greek)
- 3 Tbsp. finely chopped mint, plus leaves for serving
- 3 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided, plus more
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef (20% fat)
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 1½ tsp. ground coriander
- 1½ tsp. ground cumin
- ¾ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 Tbsp. double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1 28-oz. can crush tomatoes
- 16 oz. pappardelle, rigatoni, or penne
Afghan Pasta
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Method & Directions
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- 50 Minutes
- Making the Yogurt Sauce
تم نسخ الرابطStir together 2 garlic cloves (finely grated), 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, 3 Tbsp. finely chopped mint, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 1 Tbsp. water in a medium bowl. Chill the yogurt sauce while you prepare the meat sauce.
- Browning the Ground Beef
تم نسخ الرابطHeat 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven or another heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 lb. ground beef (broken into large 3" clumps) to the pot and season with 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Cook without stirring until the meat is browned underneath, and some fat has cooked out, which takes about 6–8 minutes.
- Preparing the Meat Sauce
تم نسخ الرابطBreak up the meat with a wooden spoon, then add 2 large onions (finely chopped) and the remaining 6 garlic cloves (finely chopped). Stir in 1½ tsp. ground coriander, 1½ tsp. ground cumin, ¾ tsp. cayenne pepper, and the remaining 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are softened, which takes about 6–8 minutes. Add 3 Tbsp. double-concentrated tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens in color, approximately 2 minutes.
- Simmering the Meat Sauce
تم نسخ الرابطPour in one 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes and 2 cups water. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together, approximately 30–35 minutes.
- Cooking the Pasta
تم نسخ الرابطAbout 10 minutes before the sauce is done, cook 16 oz. pappardelle, rigatoni, or penne in a large pot of boiling salted water. Stir occasionally and cook until the pasta is very al dente, which is about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Use tongs to transfer the pasta to the pot with the sauce. Add 1 cup pasta cooking liquid and cook over medium heat. Toss constantly until the pasta is al dente and the sauce slightly thickens, which takes about 2 minutes.
- Serving the Dish
تم نسخ الرابطDivide the pasta among bowls. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over it and top with mint leaves. Enjoy!