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Za'atar Lamb Pasta

Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Keyword Pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 3 people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb pasta
  • 3/4 lb ground lamb
  • 2 1/2 tbsp za'atar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare pasta as per packaging in salty water. Reserve 1/4 of a cup of the pasta water, drain and put on the side.
  • In a dry pot on low heat, toast the pine nuts for 3-5 minutes stirring occasionally until fragrant and golden brown. Do not walk away, pine nuts burn incredibly fast if left unattended. Remove pine nuts from pot and place on the side.
  • Increase the heat to medium. Add in ground lamb with a heavy pinch of salt, breaking it up with a large spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until cooked through. Remove lamb and put on the side.
  • Drain the majority of the lamb fat, leaving approx. 1 tbsp. Turn down the heat to low once more. Add 2 tbsp of olive oil and garlic. Cook garlic for 3 minutes until soft and fragrant. Careful not to burn the garlic. If it begins to turn brown lower the heat even more.
  • Add in za'atar and bloom the spice blend for 1-2 minutes. Add lamb back in with a tbsp or 2 of pasta water + pasta. Top it off with in grated parm. Toss. Once combined add in toasted pine nuts and toss once more. Enjoy!