Koushary

Savor the vibrant flavors of Koushary, Egypt’s beloved comfort food and a tantalizing vegan delight! This hearty dish combines layers of fluffy white rice, tender brown lentils, al dente macaroni, and protein-packed chickpeas, all brought together with a robust, spiced tomato-garlic sauce. Topped with crispy, golden fried onions for a satisfying crunch, Koushary offers the perfect balance of textures and rich, comforting flavors. With its humble ingredients and bold seasonings like cumin and coriander, this dish celebrates Middle Eastern culinary traditions in every bite. Whether served as a filling main or shared as a crowd-pleasing side, Koushary is a wholesome and budget-friendly recipe ideal for weeknight dinners. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a must-try for fans of layered, flavor-packed meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Long-grain white rice
• 1 cup Brown lentils
• 1 cup Chickpeas (cooked or canned, drained)
• 1 cup Macaroni pasta
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 large Onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 cups Tomato sauce
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons White vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Cumin (ground)
• 1 teaspoon Coriander (ground)
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 6 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils thoroughly and add them to a pot with 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In another pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the rice, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until cooked. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 4

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy (about 10 minutes). Remove the onions and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 5

To make the tomato sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar, cumin, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to your taste.

Step 6

For assembly, layer the cooked rice, lentils, pasta, and chickpeas in serving bowls. Drizzle with the warm tomato sauce and top with crispy onions before serving.

Step 7

Serve warm and enjoy your homemade Koushary!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2885.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1692.9

Total Fat 43.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5731.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 266.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.4g	0%
Total Sugars 33.8g
Protein 62.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 401.9mg	0%
Iron 20.1mg	0%
Potassium 2002.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.9%

Protein: 14.6%

Carbs: 62.5%