World Flavors Cookbook

Mbakbaka (Spicy Pasta Stew)

Name: Mbakbaka (Spicy Pasta Stew)
Cook time: 30 min
Cuisine: Libya
Ingredients: 500g short pasta (ditalini or macaroni) 300g ground beef 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cups tomato sauce 1 tbsp harissa 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp cumin Salt and pepper Olive oil

A spicy, one-pot pasta dish with ground beef and harissa, a true Libyan comfort food.

Cuisine: Libya

Ingredients

500g short pasta (ditalini or macaroni) 300g ground beef 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cups tomato sauce 1 tbsp harissa 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp cumin Salt and pepper Olive oil

Instructions

In a large pot, sauté the onion and ground beef in olive oil until browned. Add the garlic, cumin, harissa, and tomato sauce. Pour in enough water to cook the pasta. Once boiling, add the pasta and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened into a rich stew.