Main Course · Dinner · Middle Eastern ·

Spicy Egyptian Koshari with Zesty Hot Sauce

Name: Spicy Egyptian Koshari with Zesty Hot Sauce
Prep time: 33 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 133 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed; 1 cup brown lentils, soaked for 1 hour; 1 cup elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 cups water; Salt, to taste; 2 large onions, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; Vegetable oil, for frying; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes; 1 tablespoon vinegar; Salt and pepper, to taste; 3 fresh red chillies, finely chopped; 3 tablespoons vinegar; 1 teaspoon sugar; Pinch of salt

Koshari is a delicious and hearty rice and lentil dish, elevated with a spicy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.

4.1(845 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 22, 2025

Spicy Egyptian Koshari with Zesty Hot Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

33 min

Cook

1 h 40 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Koshari Base

For the Crispy Onions

For the Spicy Tomato Sauce

For the Zesty Hot Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 264 kcal
Protein: 7 g
Carbs: 35.3 g
Fat: 14.1 g
Fiber: 5.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1586 kcal
Protein: 42.2 g
Carbs: 212 g
Fat: 84.7 g
Fiber: 31 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup basmati rice rinsed	200	4	45	0.5	1
1 cup brown lentils soaked for 1 hour	230	18	40	0.8	16
1 cup elbow macaroni	220	8	43	1.3	2
2 tablespoons vegetable oil	240	0	0	27	0
2 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 large onions thinly sliced	88	2	22	0.2	4
1/3 cup all-purpose flour	150	4	28	0.4	1
Vegetable oil for frying	240	0	0	27	0
2 tablespoons olive oil	240	0	0	27	0
4 cloves garlic minced	18	0.8	4	0	0.2
1 teaspoon ground cumin	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.6
1 teaspoon chili powder	6	0.3	1	0.3	0.7
1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes	100	5	20	0.5	4
1 tablespoon vinegar	3	0	0	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
3 fresh red chillies finely chopped	18	0.7	4	0.2	1.5
3 tablespoons vinegar	9	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon sugar	16	0	4	0	0
Pinch of salt	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Koshari Base

1
Cook the lentils
Cook the lentils in 2 cups of water until tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Tip: Allow the lentils to cool slightly before mixing with the rice for perfect texture.
2
Cook the rice
In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil, add the rice and about 1 1/2 cups of water, cover and simmer until fully cooked, about 15 minutes.
3
Cook the macaroni
Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.

Making the Crispy Onions

1
Coat the onions
Toss the sliced onions in flour until evenly coated.
2
Fry the onions
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the onions until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Tip: Ensure oil is hot enough for frying to prevent soggy onions.

How to Make Spicy Egyptian Koshari with Zesty Hot Sauce

Total time: 2 h 13 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Combine ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice, lentils, and macaroni until evenly combined.
2
Cook the tomato sauce
Heat olive oil in a saucepan, add garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until fragrant, then stir in the crushed tomatoes, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3
Prepare the hot sauce
Combine the chopped chillies, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat gently for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.