How to Make the Perfect Koshari
Egyptian · Medium · 70 min · 6 servings
Koshari is Egypts beloved national street food, layering lentils, rice, and pasta topped with a tangy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. It is a hearty vegetarian dish that delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Why this recipe works
This Koshari recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 70 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 520 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 cup short grain white rice
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Lentils and Rice
Boil lentils in salted water for 15 minutes until just tender then drain. In a separate pot cook rice according to package instructions then combine with lentils and season with salt and cumin.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente then drain and set aside. Toss lightly with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Fry the Onions and Make the Sauce
Fry sliced onions in oil over medium high heat for 20 minutes until deeply golden and crispy then drain on paper towels. In the same pan saute garlic then add crushed tomatoes with cumin and white vinegar and simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Layer rice and lentils then pasta in bowls and ladle tomato sauce generously over the top. Finish with a heavy handful of crispy fried onions and serve with hot sauce on the side.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- green lentils → brown lentils
- elbow macaroni → ditalini pasta
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the frying step for onions which removes the essential crispy texture
- Adding too much water to the tomato sauce making it thin and watery
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 520 calories, 18g protein, 88g carbs, 10g fat, 12g fiber.
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