Egyptian-style Stuffed Pasta with Spiced Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

In this Egyptian adaptation, the traditional Italian tortellini is transformed by incorporating Egyptian spices and flavors. The filling is made with ground lamb instead of the usual Italian meats, and the spiced tomato sauce is infused with Egyptian herbs like mint and parsley. These changes give the dish a distinct Egyptian flair while still maintaining the essence of the original tortellini. We alse have the original recipe for Tortellini, so you can check it out.

• For the tortellini: For the tortellini:
• 250g (8.8 oz) all-purpose flour 250g (8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 200g (7 oz) ground lamb 200g (7 oz) ground lamb
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of 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
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the spiced tomato sauce: For the spiced tomato sauce:
• 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of 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 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh mint and parsley, for garnish Fresh mint and parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 8g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and eggs for the tortellini. Knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the ground lamb, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper for the tortellini filling. Set aside.
3. 3.
   Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is thin but not transparent. Cut out small circles using a round cookie cutter or a glass.
4. 4.
   Place a small amount of the lamb filling in the center of each circle. Fold the circle in half to form a half-moon shape and press the edges together to seal. Bring the two corners of the half-moon together and press to form the tortellini shape. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
5. 5.
   In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the tortellini until they float to the surface, about 3-4 minutes. Remove them from the water using a slotted spoon and set aside.
6. 6.
   In a separate saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic for the spiced tomato sauce and sauté until translucent.
7. 7.
   Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
8. 8.
   Serve the cooked tortellini in bowls, topped with the spiced tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh mint and parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground lamb — Make sure to use lean ground lamb for a healthier option. If lamb is not available, you can substitute it with ground beef or chicken.
• Canned diced tomatoes — Opt for high-quality canned diced tomatoes to ensure a rich and flavorful sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can use store-bought tortellini instead of making them from scratch.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spiced tomato sauce.
• Serve the tortellini with a side of Egyptian flatbread or rice for a complete meal.
• Customize the filling by adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
• Leftover tortellini can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. Simply reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little extra sauce.

Serving advice

Serve the Egyptian-style tortellini hot, garnished with fresh mint and parsley. Accompany it with a side of Egyptian flatbread or rice for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the tortellini neatly on a plate, drizzle the spiced tomato sauce over them, and sprinkle with fresh herbs for an appetizing presentation. Serve with a side of Egyptian flatbread or rice to complete the dish.