Quick, flavorful, and perfect for a family meal!
👩🍳 Ingredients (for 3–4 servings):
- 300–400 g pasta (penne, spaghetti, or Tunisian pasta)
- 1 chopped onion 🧅
- 2 crushed garlic cloves 🧄
- 2 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
- 1 tsp traditional harissa 🌶️ (or more to taste)
- 1 grated fresh tomato (optional)
- Salt & pepper
- Tunisian spices: tabel & karwiya (coriander/caraway)
- Olive oil 💧
- Hot water
- Optional: olives, tuna, boiled egg, or grated cheese
👩🍳 Preparation:
1️⃣ Prepare the sauce
In a saucepan:
- Heat some olive oil
- Add the onion and garlic, cook until lightly golden
- Add the tomato paste + harissa
- Mix and let it “fry” for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor
- Add grated fresh tomato if you want a lighter sauce
2️⃣ Season
Add:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tabel & karwiya (½ tsp)
Mix, then pour hot water to get a smooth sauce.
Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes on medium heat.
3️⃣ Cook the pasta
While the sauce is simmering:
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water
- Drain when al dente
4️⃣ Combine
Add the pasta to the tomato sauce.
Mix well over low heat for 1–2 minutes so the pasta absorbs the flavor.
5️⃣ Garnish & serve
You can add:
- Boiled egg wedges 🥚
- Olives 🫒
- A drizzle of olive oil 💧