Description
Turkish Pasta is a vibrant and comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring tender short pasta simmered in a zesty, herby tomato sauce with fresh herbs and plant-based ingredients. This flavorful and nutritious recipe is easy to prepare and perfectly balanced in texture, making it ideal for quick dinners or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base Ingredients
- 200g short pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 3 large fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely minced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil (natural)
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
- Optional: 50g plant-based cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the tomatoes into small pieces, finely mince the garlic and onion, and roughly chop the parsley and mint. Measure all spices and seasoning to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the short pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later. Set pasta aside.
- Make the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and cook down until soft and saucy, approximately 8 minutes.
- Add Spices and Flavorings: Stir in paprika, cumin, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Pour in the apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavor. Slowly incorporate the natural gelling agent while stirring constantly to thicken the sauce evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. Use reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust the sauce to your desired consistency, ensuring the sauce clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Remove the pan from heat and stir in chopped parsley, mint, and optional plant-based cheese for added creaminess. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain a perfect texture and avoid mushiness.
- Add fresh herbs at the end of cooking to preserve their bright flavors and colors.
- Gradually add the natural gelling agent while stirring to achieve an ideal sauce thickness.
- Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce and pasta for a silky finish.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving to ensure balanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Turkish Pasta, Mediterranean, plant-based, vegetarian, easy dinner, herby pasta, tomato sauce, gluten free pasta
