Tunisian-inspired Stuffed Pasta with Spiced Meat Sauce

Ingredients

In this Tunisian adaptation of Tordelli, we infuse the dish with the bold flavors of Tunisian cuisine. The traditional Italian meat sauce is transformed by the addition of harissa, a fiery chili paste that is a staple in Tunisian cooking. The use of Tunisian spices and herbs in the filling of the pasta pockets adds a unique twist to the dish, giving it a distinct Tunisian flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Tordelli Lucchese, so you can check it out.

• For the pasta: For the pasta:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Water, as needed Water, as needed
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 250g ground beef 250g ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• For the spiced meat sauce: For the spiced meat sauce:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 400g canned crushed tomatoes 400g canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon harissa paste 1 tablespoon harissa paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, eggs, and salt for the pasta. Knead until a smooth dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. 4.
   Remove the skillet from heat and let the filling cool slightly. Stir in the chopped parsley and mint.
5. 5.
   Roll out the pasta dough on a floured surface until it is thin but not transparent. Cut the dough into squares or circles, about 8cm in diameter.
6. 6.
   Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each pasta square or circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a triangle or half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal.
7. 7.
   In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the stuffed pasta until al dente, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
8. 8.
   To prepare the spiced meat sauce, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and golden.
9. 9.
   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, harissa paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
10. 10.
    Serve the cooked stuffed pasta with the spiced meat sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. If desired, you can substitute ground beef with ground lamb or chicken for a different flavor.
• Harissa paste — Adjust the amount of harissa paste according to your spice preference. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
• Fresh herbs — Use fresh herbs for the filling to enhance the flavors. If fresh herbs are not available, you can substitute with dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can use store-bought pasta sheets instead of making the pasta dough from scratch.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can replace the meat filling with a mixture of cooked vegetables and spices.
• Serve the Tordelli with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream to balance the spiciness of the sauce.
• This dish pairs well with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables on the side.
• Leftover Tordelli can be refrigerated and reheated the next day for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Serving advice

Serve the Tunisian-inspired Stuffed Pasta with Spiced Meat Sauce hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stuffed pasta on a large serving platter, drizzle the spiced meat sauce over the top, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. The vibrant colors of the pasta and the rich red sauce will create an enticing visual appeal.