If an African mom says spaghetti is for dinner, 9 times out of 10, it’s likely jollof pasta.
WHAT IS JOLLOF PASTA?
Jollof pasta consists of spaghetti noodles cooked in a fresh tomato sauce. Its similar to similar to Italian Pasta al pomodoro–but with the flavor and heat we love. This was my mom’s go to dinner when I was a kid. It’s simple comfort food, full of flavor and perfect as an easy packed lunch or weeknight dinner.
A QUICK HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE
Once a month or so, I prepare a tomato-based sauce in bulk for easy cooking. I use as the sauce for most Nigerian dishes (e.g., jollof rice, stew, soups, etc) so its handy to have on hand. The process involves roasting a large batch of tomatoes, red bell peppers, onions, garlic, and habanero peppers in the oven then blending the caramelized vegetables to create a rich roasted tomato sauce. The process takes about an hour to complete.
On this given day, I didn’t have any homemade sauce available and I also did not have an hour to slow roast the vegetables. I “What is the fastest way to roast vegetables?” I thought to myself. The air fryer! It is a great appliance for quick baking or roasting. I regularly use it to from roasted chicken and crisp vegetables for meal prep, so I knew the air fryer was up to the task.
To roast, slice the large vegetables into similar-sized chunks tomatoes. Add the vegetables along with the garlic cloves and habanero pepper to the air fryer, and spray the vegetables with any high heat oil. Set the the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Halfway through cooking, pull out the airfryer basket and give it a good shake for even cooking. Once done, set the vegetables aside to cool. Add vegetables to blender and process until a smooth sauce
TIME SAVER: If you’re in a rush or don’t feel like making the sauce, use a 1.5 cup of store bought pasta sauce. It won’t be as flavorful but you can adjust the taste with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper.
HOW TO MAKE PASTA HEALTHIER
Pasta can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation.
Whole-grain pasta is higher in fiber and certain micronutrients as compared to refined (white) pasta. Fiber is important because it digests slow and helps promote fullness. While whole-grain pasta is generally lower in calories than in refined pasta, it is important to note that pasta is high in carbohydrates. A one-cup serving of cooked spaghetti contains between 37–43 grams of carbs, depending on whether it is refined or whole-grain.
For this recipe, I used whole wheat spaghetti for its nutritional value. I avoided high-fat, high calorie toppings like cream based sauces and cheese, then limited the amount of olive oil. I roasted the vegetables for a sweeter, more robust sauce and topped the finished pasta with fresh basil. For a more balanced meal, you can also add your choice of protein and favorite veggies to your pasta to turn it into a balanced meal. For instance, fish and chicken can add extra protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied, while broccoli or bell peppers can provide additional fiber and nutrients.
I enjoyed the jollof pasta with grilled chicken and a simple mixed green salad (unpictured).
1. MAKE THE SAUCE: Chop the tomatoes, red bell pepper, and onion into large chunks. Add the vegetables along with the garlic cloves and habanero pepper to the air fryer. Spray the vegetables with avocado oil (or any high heat oil) and roast for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees. Set aside to cool (time saving tip: boil the pasta water while you wait). Once the cool, blend the roasted vegetables until smooth. 2. MAKE THE PASTA: Fill a large pot 1/3 full with water. Stir in a generous pinch of salt and a dash of olive oil, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the pot over medium-low heat. Add the pasta cooking water, roasted tomato sauce, and olive oil. Toss until well combined then cover the pot until a creamy sauce forms. Thin the sauce with water, 1/4 cup or a little at a time, as needed. Season with bouillon, salt, and black pepper to taste and toss gently. Serve with fresh basil or parsley on top.Ingredients
Instructions
MAKE IT A MEAL:
Enjoy with a side salad or roasted vegetables (zucchini, broccolini) and preferred protein. I enjoyed the jollof pasta with grilled chicken breast and a small mixed green salad.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to hear your thoughts or how the recipe turned out for you 🙂
Consider leaving a comment below or sharing a picture of your creation on Instagram.
For IG, tag @nwabekee_ or use the hashtag #NwaBekee so I can see it.