Baasto iyo Suugo (Somali Spaghetti with Spiced Meat Sauce)
Local name: Baasto iyo suugo
In short: Spaghetti topped with a thick beef and tomato sauce spiced with cumin, coriander and cardamom, finished with lime and served with banana. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 590 kcal
Baasto iyo suugo, pasta with sauce, reflects Italian influence on Somali cooking: spaghetti topped with a thick, spiced meat and tomato sauce rather than a plain ragù. Cumin, coriander and cardamom perfume the sauce, while green pepper and lime keep it fresh. A banana on the side is the Somali way. It is a lunch and dinner favorite across the country and among Somalis abroad.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large deep pan over medium heat. Cook the onions for 6 minutes, add the green pepper for 3 minutes, then the garlic for 1 minute.
- Add the beef and cook for 8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through to 71°C (160°F).
- Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, coriander, cardamom and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, water and salt. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick and glossy.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of well-salted boiling water until al dente. Keep 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the pasta water, then drain.
- Stir the lime juice and cilantro into the sauce. Toss it with the spaghetti, adding a splash of pasta water if it seems dry.
- Serve hot with sliced banana, lime wedges and bisbaas on the side.
Tips
- Goat, lamb or chicken mince can replace the beef. Cook poultry mince to 74°C (165°F).
- Make the sauce a day ahead. The spices settle in and it tastes better the next day. Reheat gently with a splash of water.
Questions and answers
Why is banana served with Somali pasta?
Eating banana with pasta or rice is a long-standing custom. Its sweetness balances the spiced, savory sauce and cools the heat of the hot sauce.
Can I freeze the sauce?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Freeze it without the lime juice and cilantro, thaw overnight and add those fresh when reheating.
How is this different from spaghetti bolognese?
The sauce is spiced with cumin, coriander and cardamom, includes green pepper and finishes with lime and cilantro. It has no wine, no Italian herbs and no cheese.
How long does it take to make Baasto iyo Suugo (Somali Spaghetti with Spiced Meat Sauce)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Baasto iyo Suugo (Somali Spaghetti with Spiced Meat Sauce)?
About 590 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 74 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 590 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 74 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
