Somali Spaghetti Sauce

This savory Somali-style spaghetti sauce with beef and vegetables is seasoned with turmeric and makes a satisfying weeknight dinner.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 546 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons water, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend (such as Mrs. Dash®)
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup olive oil

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place cilantro and garlic in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.

Step 2

Toast cumin seeds in a small pot over low heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Allow to cool, 5 minutes. Grind into a powder.

Step 3

Transfer ground cumin to a small bowl. Add Himalayan pink salt, turmeric, paprika, Italian seasoning, seasoning blend, and black pepper to make seasoning mix.

Step 4

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook and stir until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 of the seasoning mix. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add potato and carrots. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir tomatoes into the pot and bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in cilantro-garlic mixture and remaining 1/2 of the seasoning mix. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors combine, 30 to 40 minutes. Thin sauce with water if it seems too thick.

Step 6

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain. Serve sauce over pasta.