This Nigerian-style curry spaghetti has a beautiful golden yellow colour similar to fried rice. The pasta is cooked with mixed vegetables and aromatic curry spices, served with perfectly seasoned suya-spiced steak for a complete meal.

Ingredients

For the Curry Spaghetti

• 500g spaghetti pasta
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2-3 stock cubes (Maggi or Knorr)
• 500ml beef stock (or water with extra stock cubes)
• Salt to taste

Mixed Vegetables

• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• 1 cup sweetcorn (fresh or frozen)

For the Suya Steak

• 4 beef steaks (sirloin or ribeye)
• 2 tbsp suya spice blend
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ginger powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

How to Make Curry Spaghetti

Cook the Spaghetti

1. Boil water: Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil.
2. Cook pasta: Add spaghetti and cook according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Curry Base

1. Heat oil: In a large pan or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Cook aromatics: Add sliced onions and cook until softened. Add minced garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.
3. Add spices: Add curry powder and turmeric. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add liquid: Pour in beef stock (or water with crumbled stock cubes). Bring to a simmer.

Add the Vegetables

1. Add hard vegetables first: Add carrots and green beans to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes.
2. Add remaining vegetables: Add sweetcorn. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender but still crisp.
3. Season: Add salt to taste and extra stock cubes if needed for flavour.

Combine with Pasta

1. Add spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the vegetable curry mixture.
2. Toss together: Mix everything well, ensuring the pasta is coated with the golden curry sauce.
3. Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, curry powder, or stock cubes as needed.
4. Keep warm: Cover and keep warm whilst preparing the steak.

How to Make Suya Steak

Season the Steak

1. Mix spices: In a bowl, combine suya spice, garlic powder, ginger powder, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
2. Season meat: Rub the spice mixture all over the steaks. Let them rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.

Cook the Steak

1. Heat pan: Heat a heavy-based frying pan or griddle over high heat. Add a little oil.
2. Sear the steak: Place steaks in the hot pan. Don’t move them for 3-4 minutes to get a good brown crust.
3. Flip and finish: Turn steaks over and cook for another 3-4 minutes for medium-rare, or longer for well-done.
4. Rest: Remove from heat and let steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Serving

1. Plate the spaghetti: Serve the golden curry spaghetti on plates.
2. Add the steak: Slice the suya steak and place on top or alongside the spaghetti.
3. Garnish: Sprinkle with extra suya spice or fresh herbs if desired.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook vegetables: Keep them slightly crisp for better texture
• Control the colour: Turmeric and curry powder give the golden yellow colour
• Season gradually: Build flavour with stock cubes and spices
• Hot pan for steak: Ensure the pan is very hot before adding steak for proper searing
• Rest the meat: This keeps the steak juicy and tender

Make Your Own Suya Spice

If you can’t find suya spice, blend together:

• 2 tbsp groundnuts (peanuts), roasted
• 1 tsp ginger powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• Salt to taste

Storage

• Spaghetti: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Steak: Best served fresh, but can be stored for 2 days
• Reheat: Warm spaghetti gently in a pan with a splash of water

Variations

• Chicken version: Use chicken breast instead of steak
• Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add more vegetables or tofu
• Spicier: Add chopped scotch bonnet peppers with the vegetables
• Different pasta: Use penne or fusilli instead of spaghetti

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Why This Recipe

The combination of curry powder and turmeric creates that distinctive golden colour that Nigerians love in their fried rice. The mixed vegetables add colour, nutrition, and texture, whilst the suya-spiced steak provides protein with authentic Nigerian flavours.