Turkish-Style Tomato Pasta Recipe

This recipe transforms a simple pasta dish into a flavorful main course with its rich, homemade tomato sauce. The secret to its taste lies in a few key steps: hand-chopping the tomatoes and slow-simmering the sauce to let the flavors truly meld.

Ingredients

7-8 tomatoes (peeled and finely diced)

1 onion (finely diced)

1 green pepper (finely diced)

1/2 tablespoon red pepper paste

1/2 bunch fresh parsley (finely chopped)

Olive oil or vegetable oil

Salt, black pepper, cumin, sweet and hot red pepper flakes

Pasta of your choice (one that holds sauce well, like penne or fusilli, is recommended)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. For extra flavor, add plenty of salt and a little oil to the water. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain it and set it aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce: Heat a generous amount of oil in a wide pan or pot. Add the finely diced onion and green pepper and sauté until they soften. Next, stir in the red pepper paste and cook for another minute until its raw aroma disappears.
3. Add Tomatoes and Spices: Add the prepped tomatoes to the pan. Chopping the tomatoes by hand instead of grating or blending them will give your sauce a richer texture and flavor. Let the sauce simmer over low heat until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
4. Season and Finish: Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, season it with salt, black pepper, cumin, sweet and hot red pepper flakes to your taste. Just before you turn off the heat, stir in the finely chopped parsley.
5. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. It may look like a lot of sauce, but it’s the perfect amount for a flavorful meal. Mix well to ensure every piece of pasta is coated. Serve immediately.

Enjoy your meal!