Egyptian koshari

Egypt’s national dish: rice, lentils and pasta mixed together and topped with a spicy tomato sauce and fried onions. Budget-friendly, filling and 100% plant-based, it is a generous, comforting street food.

Preparation: 15 min  |  Cooking: 35 min  |  Servings: 4  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities listed. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 299 kcal · 14 g protein · 48 g carbohydrate · 3 g fat

Ingredients

• 150 g of rice
• 150 g of lentils
• 100 g of small pasta
• 1 tin of chickpeas
• 2 tins of chopped tomatoes
• 2 onions
• 1 tsp of cumin

Method

1. Cook the rice, lentils and pasta separately.
2. Make a tomato sauce with cumin and vinegar.
3. Caramelise the thinly sliced onions.
4. Layer the rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, then top with sauce and onions.

Nutritional benefits

Koshari combines rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas: complementary plant proteins and plenty of fibre, for an extremely filling and energising dish. Budget-friendly and 100% plant-based, it is a complete Egyptian street food. Watch your portions on the starchy side.

Variations and substitutions

• Spicier: add hot sauce (shatta).
• Gluten-free: leave out the pasta and use more rice and lentils.
• Use green or brown lentils.
• Oven-fry the onions (lighter).

Storage and preparing ahead

The components keep for 3 days when stored separately; assemble and reheat just before serving.

💡 Good to know

The crispy caramelised onions are koshari’s signature: take the time to brown them well.

Read also

Discover more vegetarian recipes · vegan recipes · high-protein recipes · healthy & balanced recipes.

The foods in this recipe: rice · lentils · pasta · chickpeas · tomatoes.

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