It is no secret that I love pasta and thus I keep try ing to make lots of different variations of pasta every chance I get. I initially started by making Indian style macaroni, then ended up using piri piri masala and let me tell you… it was a game-changer!
Here is homemade spicy macaroni. If you are someone who wants to enjoy their pasta with your Indian spices and a touch of peri-peri, this is for you. This pasta version does not just taste buds- pleasing but also eye-pleasing because of its impressive red colour. Spice up with this delicious treat! Feel free to add more veggies to it if you would like.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups elbow macaroni pasta
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
1 Capsicum chopped
1.5 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/8 tsp asafetida
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp cumin-coriander powder
1 tsp Piri Piri masala
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp red crushed pepper (optional)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Half of lemon, juiced
5-6 sprigs cilantro, chopped (optional)
Basil leaves chopped
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Cook the pasta according to packaged directions.
- In a pan, heat some oil then add cumin seeds; once the cumin seeds start to splatter, add the asafetida then add onion and garlic immediately.
- Let it cook until the onions are translucent, around 2 minutes. Then add the capsicum and let that cook for another minute.
- Add tomatoes, all the remaining spices, and a splash of water. Let the spices cook for a minute, then add the cooked pasta. Add more olive oil if the pasta seems dry (you can also add a ladle of the pasta water to marry everything together.) Mix everything well.
- Turn off the heat then add lemon juice and chopped cilantro (if using)
Serve hot!
NOTES:
- You can use any pasta you like or have on hand.
- I use the Key brand Piri Piri Masala
- You can add cheese to this if you like.
- Taste the salt before adding more as the Piri Piri masala and the pasta water will have salt in them.
Astha's Kitchen 