Tunisian Pasta with Lentils (Hlalem)

This hearty vegetarian Tunisian dish of pasta with lentils and various vegetables and spices is both satisfying and delicious.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 321 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 4 cups cold water
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
• 1 (19 ounce) can lentils, drained and rinsed
• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti, broken into 1 1/2-inch pieces

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion, carrot, and garlic in the hot oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, reduce heat to low, and continue to cook until carrots and onions are mushy, about 10 minutes. Stir in water, lentils, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil over high heat, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in pasta and bring to a boil once more, about 5 minutes. Cover the pot, turn off heat, and leave on the burner. Let sit for 15 minutes. Stir, cover again, and let sit until pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 15 minutes more. Stir and serve.