For many Somali families, baasto (pasta) is more than just a meal; it is comfort food.
While recipes vary from one household to another, baasto is commonly prepared with ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and, in some cases, nutmeg. Some families also enhance the blend with ginger, fenugreek, dried sage or allspice, giving each version its own distinctive flavour.
But eating the same tomato‑and‑onion pasta every week can become repetitive. With just a few extra ingredients, however, you can transform a simple plate of pasta into something restaurant‑worthy without spending a fortune.
Here are seven delicious recipes that are easy to prepare using ingredients readily available in local markets and supermarkets:
1. Creamy garlic chicken pasta
Perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
250g pasta
2 chicken breasts, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup cooking cream
½ cup grated Parmesan or cheddar
Black pepper
Salt
Fresh parsley (optional)
Method
1. Cook the pasta until al dente.
2. Season and fry the chicken until golden. Add garlic and cook for one minute before pouring in the cream. Stir in the cheese until smooth.
3. Add the cooked pasta and toss until coated.
4. Serve with extra black pepper.
2. Somali spiced beef pasta
A fusion of Italian pasta and traditional Somali flavours.
Ingredients
250g pasta
300g minced beef
1 onion
2 tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Garlic
Xawaash spice
Coriander
Cooking oil
Method
1. Cook the beef with onions until browned.
2. Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste and one teaspoon of xawaash. Simmer until thick.
3. Mix in the cooked pasta and garnish with fresh coriander.
4. The warm Somali spices give this dish incredible depth.
3. Creamy mushroom pasta
A vegetarian favourite.
Ingredients
Pasta
Mushrooms
Butter
Garlic
Cooking cream
Parmesan
Black pepper
Method
1. Sauté mushrooms in butter until browned.
2. Add garlic, then pour in cream.
3. Stir in cheese before combining with cooked pasta.
4. Serve immediately.
4. Pesto chicken pasta
Fresh, colourful and packed with flavour.
Ingredients
Pasta
Grilled chicken strips
Basil pesto
Cherry tomatoes
Parmesan
Olive oil
Method
1. Cook pasta.
2. Mix pesto with a little pasta water.
3. Add chicken and tomatoes before tossing everything together.
4. Finish with Parmesan.
5. Spicy shrimp pasta
Ideal for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Pasta
Shrimp
Garlic
Chilli flakes
Lemon juice
Butter
Parsley
Method
1. Cook shrimp in butter for two minutes.
2. Add garlic and chilli before mixing with cooked pasta.
3. Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
6. One-pot tomato beef pasta
Easy to prepare and even easier to clean up.
Ingredients
Pasta
Minced beef
Onion
Garlic
Tomatoes
Tomato paste
Beef stock
Cheese
Method
1. Cook the beef.
2. Add vegetables, tomato paste and stock.
3. Add dry pasta directly into the pot and cook until tender.
4. Top with grated cheese before serving.
7. Somali baasto with Chicken Suqaar
A household favourite with a twist.
Ingredients
Spaghetti
Chicken breast
Onion
Green pepper
Tomatoes
Garlic
Xawaash spice
Coriander
Fresh chilli (optional)
Method
1. Prepare the chicken suqaar by frying onions, garlic and peppers before adding diced chicken.
2. Season generously with xawaash and cook until tender.
3. Serve over spaghetti or mix everything for a rich, flavour-packed meal.
Cooking tips
Salt your pasta water generously; it should taste like the sea.
Save one cup of pasta water before draining; it helps sauces cling better.
Avoid overcooking pasta.
Fresh herbs such as coriander or parsley instantly brighten any dish.
Finish with grated cheese or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavour.
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