Somali · beginner
Somali Cardamom Minced Beef Baasto Skillet
A quick Somali-style pasta skillet featuring minced beef spiced with cardamom, cumin, garlic, and fresh green bell pepper.
- PREP TIME
- 10 min
- COOK TIME
- 25 min
- SERVES
- 4
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
Boil penne pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- 02
Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat and sauté chopped onion and green bell pepper for 4 minutes.
- 03
Add minced garlic and halal ground beef, breaking up meat with a spatula, cooking until browned for 5 minutes.
- 04
Stir in ground cardamom and 1 teaspoon salt, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 05
Pour in crushed tomatoes, lower heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken sauce.
- 06
Add cooked pasta directly to skillet, toss thoroughly to coat, and warm through for 2 minutes before serving.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Pan Finishing Pasta
Combining drained warm pasta directly into simmering sauce to maximize flavor coating.
Notes from the kitchen
- Cardamom gives Baasto its distinct aromatic flavor compared to standard pasta sauce.
- Serve with fresh banana slices on the side for a true traditional Somali eating experience.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Somali; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.
