Creamy Pepper & Egg Rice Bowl with Buttered Bread
25 min
Creative Recipe
Za'atar Stir-Fried Pasta with Five-Spice Vegetables
A bold fusion dish that marries Middle Eastern aromatic spices with Chinese stir-fry technique. Pasta is tossed with vibrant bell peppers, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes in a garlic-infused olive oil, finished with za'atar seasoning and melted cheese for a Mediterranean-Asian harmony that's both comforting and adventurous.
35 min
Easy
4 servings
Snap Your Fridge, Get Recipes!
Take a photo of your fridge and let AI create personalized recipes from your ingredients.
Taste Profile
Sweet4/10
Salty6/10
Sour3/10
Umami7/10
Spicy2/10
🥄 Texture
Al dente pasta provides a firm, slightly chewy backbone while stir-fried bell peppers remain crisp-tender with light charring. Mushrooms add a soft, meaty bite and the grated cheese melts into a glossy, slightly creamy coating that brings everything together.
👃 Aroma
Bold olive oil and quickly toasted garlic open the aroma, followed by the herbal, nutty scent of za'atar with a bright, lemony note from sumac. Warm roasted peppers and mushrooms add a savory, slightly smoky background that makes the dish fragrant and appetizing.
🍷 Pairs Well With
A crisp, herbaceous white such as Sauvignon Blanc or Vermentino will complement the za'atar and cut through the cheese; alternatively a light, fruity Pinot Noir or a cold mint tea for a non-alcoholic option works well.
🥗 Side Dishes
Simple sides like a cucumber-tomato-sumac salad or a chopped parsley and lemon salad (tabbouleh-style) pair nicely; serve with warm pita and labneh or a roasted eggplant dip (baba ghanoush) for a fuller mezze spread.
Ingredients(13 items)
- 112 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 21 red bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 31 green bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 41 yellow bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 58 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
- 61.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 75 tablespoons olive oil
- 86 cloves garlic (minced)
- 91 teaspoon black pepper
- 101 cup cheese (grated, preferably Halloumi or Feta for Middle Eastern touch, or Parmesan)
- 112 teaspoons za'atar spice blend (or substitute: 1 teaspoon dried oregano + 0.5 teaspoon sumac + 0.5 teaspoon sesame seeds)
- 121 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
- 130.5 teaspoon white pepper (optional, for Chinese influence)
Nutrition Information(per serving)
485
Calories
16g
Protein
62g
Carbs
18g
Fat
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- 2
While pasta cooks, prepare all vegetables: slice bell peppers into thin strips, slice mushrooms, and halve cherry tomatoes. Mince garlic cloves.
- 3
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large wok or wide skillet over high heat until shimmering.
- 4
Add minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- 5
Add sliced mushrooms and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften and release their moisture.
- 6
Add all three bell peppers (red, green, and yellow) and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, keeping the vegetables crisp-tender with a slight char.
- 7
Add halved cherry tomatoes and stir-fry for 1 minute until they begin to blister slightly.
- 8
Pour the cooked pasta into the wok with vegetables. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- 9
Sprinkle za'atar spice blend and black pepper over the pasta and vegetables. Toss everything together vigorously for 1-2 minutes, coating evenly.
- 10
Add 0.5 cup of reserved pasta water gradually while tossing, creating a light sauce that coats the pasta. Add more water if needed for desired consistency.
- 11
Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Toss gently until cheese begins to melt and distribute throughout.
- 12
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or za'atar as needed.
- 13
Transfer to serving plates immediately while warm, ensuring each portion has vegetables, pasta, and melted cheese distributed evenly.
Get Personalized Recipes
Download Fridgify and discover recipes tailored to the exact ingredients in your fridge. Just snap a photo and let AI create your next meal!