Recipes › Pasta › Syrian Spaghetti Recipe

Syrian Spaghetti Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

Syrian Spaghetti is a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish that blends the comfort of Italian noodles with the warm spice profile and ingredient traditions of Levantine cuisine. This quick weeknight dinner features tender spaghetti tossed with a fragrant tomato sauce enriched with allspice, cinnamon, and caramelized onions, creating a uniquely satisfying single-bowl meal.

Ingredients

• 400g spaghetti
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 400g)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 800g canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 200ml vegetable or chicken stock
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Pinch of Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized.

3. Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

4. Stir in the ground allspice, cinnamon, and cloves, cooking for 30 seconds until the spices bloom and become fragrant.

5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stock. Add salt, pepper, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld.

6. Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the sauce. Toss well to combine, adding reserved pasta water gradually (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) until the pasta reaches your desired sauciness.

7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed. Remove from heat.

8. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and mint. Top with Parmesan cheese and a pinch of Aleppo pepper if desired.

Substitutions

• Use whole wheat or legume-based spaghetti for added fiber and protein
• Replace Parmesan with vegan nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese for a plant-based version
• Substitute fresh mint with additional parsley if mint is unavailable
• Use San Marzano tomatoes or fresh tomato paste mixed with water instead of canned crushed tomatoes for a fresher taste

Tips

• Do not overcook the onions too early; deeply caramelized onions take time but are essential for authentic flavor and natural sweetness
• Save pasta water before draining—the starch in it helps the sauce cling to the noodles and creates a silky texture
• The warm spices (allspice, cinnamon, cloves) are the signature of this dish; do not skip them or reduce their amounts significantly
• Fresh herbs added at the end brighten the dish; dried herbs can substitute at half the quantity if fresh are unavailable

This fusion recipe reflects the historical culinary exchange between the Levantine region and the Mediterranean, where Syrian and Palestinian kitchens often incorporate warm spices like allspice and cinnamon into savory dishes as a signature element of their flavor identity.

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