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Golden Crispy Tadig Spaghettiwith Ground Beef

Recipe by Zachary Neman on InstagramAdded 2 November 2026.

20 minutes to prep, 1 hour to cook. A bold twist on classic spaghetti, this dish features ground beef simmered with aromatic spices and a rich tomato sauce, finished with a coveted golden crispy crust called tadig. The combination of smoky Calabrian chili, warm cumin, and turmeric gives the pasta a deep, savory flavor, while the crunchy bottom adds irresistible texture.

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Golden Crispy Tadig Spaghetti with Ground Beef by Zachary Neman, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Tear the ground beef into chunks and place in a pan over medium heat to render the fat and develop a crust.

  2. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and Calabrian chili to the rendered beef fat and sauté slowly until the vegetables are soft and sweet.

  3. Season the mixture with a generous pinch of salt, black pepper, paprika, turmeric, coriander, and cumin, stirring to awaken the spices.

  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and add enough water to cover the ingredients; bring to a boil, then cover the pan and simmer for 30 to 60 minutes.

  5. Meanwhile, boil spaghetti in salted water until three minutes short of al dente, then drain, reserving a cup of pasta water.

  6. Combine the cooked spaghetti with the sauce in the same pan, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, and continue cooking uncovered for about 30 minutes until a golden, crispy crust (tadig) forms at the bottom.

  7. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium, and flip the pasta in one swift motion to ensure an even crispy layer throughout the pan.

  8. Serve the dish hot, enjoying the crunchy tadig and the flavorful sauce.

Tips while you cook

Render beef first
Tear the ground beef into chunks and cook it alone until the fat renders and a crust forms before adding any vegetables.
Cook pasta slightly under al dente
Boil the spaghetti until it is three minutes short of al dente, then drain and set aside.
Reserve pasta water
Save a cup of the pasta cooking water to add a splash when mixing the spaghetti with the sauce.
Flip pasta for even crust
After covering the pan, reduce heat and flip the pasta in one swift motion.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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Zachary Neman made this.

The recipe comes from Zachary Neman’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

Are you Zachary Neman and want this changed? Email [email protected].

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