Tunisian Makarouna with Spiced Tomato Sauce and Olives

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

Pasta tossed in a rich, spiced tomato sauce with black olives and aromatic North African spices, perfect for a comforting meal. This African-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs macaroni pasta, olive oil, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz macaroni pasta
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and halved
• 1 tbsp harissa paste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz macaroni pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Add 1/2 cup halved black olives to the sauce and cook for 5 minutes more to meld flavors.
6. Step 6: Toss the drained macaroni pasta into the sauce until fully coated. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.