Indulge in Quick & Spicy Indonesian Macaroni with Ground Beef & Fried Egg: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Are you searching for a dish that is both incredibly satisfying and remarkably easy to prepare? Look no further than this delightful Indonesian-style macaroni with spicy ground beef and a perfectly fried egg. This recipe is a true gem, consistently ranking as one of my go-to meals, and for good reason. It’s a harmonious blend of familiar comfort and exotic, vibrant flavors, perfect for those bustling weeknights when time is of the essence but you refuse to compromise on taste.
Imagine tender macaroni pasta mingling with rich, savory, and spicy ground beef, complemented by a medley of fresh, crisp stir-fry vegetables. The magic truly happens with the aromatic Indonesian spices and sauces that infuse every bite with depth and warmth. To crown this culinary masterpiece, a runny fried egg sits atop, its golden yolk ready to meld with the pasta, while a scattering of crispy fried onions adds an irresistible crunch. It’s an explosion of textures and tastes that transforms a simple macaroni dish into an extraordinary comfort food experience.
What makes this dish even more appealing is its incredible efficiency. You can have this flavor-packed meal on your table in just 20 minutes! Forget about complex culinary techniques or hunting for obscure ingredients. This recipe relies on staples you likely already have in your pantry, making it an accessible and stress-free option for any home cook. Plus, the convenience of cooking everything in one large pan means less cleanup and more time to savor your delicious creation. Prepare to discover a new family favorite that will bring the tantalizing tastes of Indonesia right into your kitchen.
The Genesis of Flavor: Easy Wok Macaroni with Kecap, Sambal, and Crispy Onions
My culinary journey began with a deep appreciation for classic Dutch macaroni, a staple in my childhood. While I always enjoyed its simple charm, I found myself instinctively reaching for soy sauce, craving that extra layer of umami to complement the pasta. This habit sparked a creative quest: how could I elevate this familiar dish even further, infusing it with bolder, more exciting flavors?
The answer lay in the vibrant pantry of Indonesian cuisine. The addition of spicy sambal, the rich sweetness of Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce), and the intriguing depth of trassi (fermented shrimp paste) proved to be a transformative combination. These key ingredients, paired with aromatic spices like Chinese five-spice powder, took a beloved but understated dish and turned it into something truly extraordinary. It was a fusion of cultures on a plate, a delightful culinary experiment that quickly became a cherished family tradition.
This wok macaroni isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s the dish I turn to when I yearn for something hearty and comforting, yet with a noticeable zing and a playful warmth. It strikes the perfect balance – robust and satisfying, but never heavy. My children adore it, often requesting it for dinner, and I happily oblige, knowing that any leftovers will be eagerly devoured the next day (it truly tastes even better after the flavors have had more time to meld). Its versatility also makes it an ideal candidate for meal prep, saving precious time during busy weekdays.
You can enjoy this Indonesian-style macaroni as a stand-alone star, or pair it with a refreshing side like a quick cucumber and red onion salad for a balanced meal. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a touch of Indonesian flair, can create a consistently delicious and comforting dish that truly works every time. Prepare to bring an authentic, cozy, and utterly delicious piece of Indonesia to your dinner table, all crafted with ease in your trusty wok.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with this Indonesian Macaroni
Beyond its incredible flavor and ease of preparation, this Indonesian-style macaroni offers a multitude of reasons to become a staple in your meal rotation. Here’s why this dish truly stands out:
- Unbeatable Flavor Profile: It strikes a perfect balance between savory, sweet, spicy, and umami. The robust ground beef, combined with aromatic spices and a hint of tang, creates a complex and deeply satisfying taste experience.
- Speed and Simplicity: In just 20 minutes, you can create a gourmet-quality meal. This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want something homemade and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Comfort Food Reinvented: Taking the classic comfort of macaroni and cheese and infusing it with vibrant Indonesian flavors elevates it to a whole new level. It’s warming, hearty, and incredibly satisfying, especially when topped with a crispy fried egg.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with lean ground beef and a generous helping of stir-fry vegetables, this dish is not only delicious but also provides a good source of protein and essential nutrients. You can easily adjust the vegetable content to suit your preferences.
- Highly Customizable: From adjusting the spice level to swapping out proteins or adding different vegetables, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. It adapts beautifully to various dietary needs and taste preferences.
- Fantastic for Leftovers: As mentioned, the flavors deepen overnight, making it an excellent meal prep option. Enjoy it for lunch the next day, or freeze portions for future quick meals.
This dish isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to explore a world of flavor with minimal effort, proving that exotic tastes can be achieved effortlessly right at home.
The Fusion Story: A Culinary Bridge Between Dutch & Indonesian Flavors
The beauty of cuisine often lies in its evolution and cross-cultural influences. This Indonesian-style macaroni is a perfect embodiment of that principle. It’s a delicious reflection of the rich historical ties between the Netherlands and Indonesia, where traditional Dutch ingredients and cooking methods met the aromatic spices and vibrant flavors of the Indonesian archipelago.
For many, including myself, macaroni pasta was a staple in childhood kitchens. But the desire to infuse more adventurous, bolder tastes led to a natural experimentation with Indonesian elements. This fusion isn’t just about combining ingredients; it’s about creating a harmonious blend where each component enhances the other. The familiar, comforting texture of macaroni provides a wonderful backdrop for the exotic, piquant, and sweet notes introduced by Kecap Manis, Sambal, and Trassi.
This dish tells a story of culinary creativity, transforming a simple European pasta into an exciting Asian-inspired experience. It demonstrates how embracing different culinary traditions can lead to unexpectedly delicious results, offering a unique twist on comfort food that resonates with a wide array of palates. It’s a testament to the fact that good food knows no borders, and sometimes, the most innovative dishes come from blending the best of different worlds.
Spotlight on Key Indonesian Ingredients: Unlocking Authentic Flavor
The unique character of this Indonesian macaroni comes from a few essential ingredients that are hallmarks of Indonesian cuisine. Understanding their role can help you appreciate the depth of flavor they bring and even inspire you to explore more Indonesian dishes.
- Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce): This thick, syrupy soy sauce is distinctly Indonesian. It’s sweeter and thicker than regular soy sauce, offering a rich, molasses-like sweetness with a hint of umami. It’s crucial for balancing the spice and adding that signature caramelized flavor to the ground beef. Don’t confuse it with regular soy sauce; they are very different!
- Sambal Oelek: A raw chili paste made from crushed fresh red chilies, salt, and vinegar. It provides a clean, bright heat without the complex flavors of other sambal varieties that might include garlic or shrimp paste. It allows you to control the spice level of your dish precisely.
- Trassi (Fermented Shrimp Paste): Often sold in a block or paste form, trassi is a potent ingredient that, when cooked, adds an incredible depth of savory, almost meaty, flavor (umami) to dishes. It’s an acquired taste for some but is fundamental to many Indonesian recipes. A little goes a long way, and its intense aroma mellows significantly during cooking, contributing a rich background note.
- Chinese Five-Spice Powder: While not exclusively Indonesian, this aromatic spice blend (typically star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds) is used in various Southeast Asian cuisines. It imparts a warm, sweet, and slightly savory fragrance that complements the other flavors beautifully, adding complexity to the ground beef.
These ingredients are readily available in most Asian supermarkets, and often in the international aisle of larger grocery stores. Investing in them will unlock a world of delicious Indonesian cooking!
Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.
Need more inspiration?
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound macaroni
- 1 cube vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sambal oelek
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- ¼ teaspoon trassi, fermented shrimp paste
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 tablespoons Kecap Manis, sweet soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons kecap asin, salty soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound stir-fry vegetables, e.g., mix of snow peas, sliced cabbage, sliced onion, bean sprouts
- 4 eggs
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Cook the macaroni in a big pot with boiling water and the bouillon cube according to package directions. Once al dente, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set the macaroni aside.1 cube vegetable stock, 1 pound macaroni
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In a large wok or deep frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, then sauté until they become fragrant and soft, about 2-3 minutes.2 tablespoons sunflower oil, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic
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To the wok, add the sambal oelek, dark brown sugar, Chinese five-spice powder, tomato paste, and trassi (fermented shrimp paste). Stir constantly for about one minute, allowing the spices to toast and release their aromatic fragrance.1 teaspoon sambal oelek, 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder, ¼ teaspoon trassi
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Crumble in the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned and crumbly, ensuring no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if necessary.1 pound ground beef
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Pour in the Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce), kecap asin (salty soy sauce), and sesame oil. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, allowing everything to simmer for a few minutes so the rich flavors can fully meld and infuse into the beef.4 tablespoons Kecap Manis, 2 tablespoons kecap asin, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
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Introduce the stir-fry vegetables to the wok. Continue to stir-fry for approximately 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Adjust the cooking time based on your preferred level of crunchiness.1 pound stir-fry vegetables
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Finally, add the pre-cooked macaroni to the wok with the beef and vegetables. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring the macaroni is evenly coated with the delicious sauce and heated through.
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In a separate small frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil over medium heat. Fry the eggs to your preference – sunny-side up with a runny yolk is highly recommended to complement the dish.4 eggs
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Divide the hot macaroni into individual bowls or plates. Crown each serving with a freshly fried egg and a generous sprinkle of crispy fried onions for that irresistible crunch and extra layer of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Absolutely! While macaroni is traditional for this dish’s comfort food roots, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Penne, fusilli, rotini, or even ditalini would make excellent substitutes. The key is to use a pasta shape that can capture the delicious sauce and ground beef well. Feel free to experiment with your favorite short pasta.
2. Is trassi a must?
Trassi, or fermented shrimp paste, is a cornerstone of authentic Indonesian flavor, providing a unique umami depth that is hard to replicate. It offers a subtle, savory funkiness that truly elevates the dish. However, if you don’t have it or prefer to omit it, you can skip it. For a similar depth of flavor, a small dash of fish sauce can be used, or for a vegetarian option, a pinch of mushroom powder can add a savory boost. Just be mindful of its strong aroma before cooking – it mellows beautifully once incorporated!
3. Tips and Variations to Make it Your Own
- Spice Level: If you crave more heat, don’t hesitate to increase the amount of sambal oelek. For an extra kick, a pinch of red chili flakes or finely diced bird’s eye chilies can be added with the aromatics at the start of cooking.
- Protein Alternatives: While ground beef is classic, this dish shines with other proteins too. Ground chicken or turkey are lighter options. For a vegetarian twist, crumbled firm tofu or tempeh can be used, seasoned well to mimic the texture and flavor. Cubed ham or even leftover shredded chicken are also fantastic additions.
- Vegetable Medley: The stir-fry vegetable mix is highly adaptable. Beyond snow peas, cabbage, and bean sprouts, consider adding sliced bell peppers (red or yellow for sweetness), carrots cut into matchsticks, broccoli florets, or even bok choy for a different texture and nutritional boost.
- Garnish Galore: Beyond crispy fried onions, fresh cilantro or chopped green onions can add a burst of freshness. Crushed roasted peanuts can introduce another layer of crunch and nutty flavor. A drizzle of extra Kecap Manis or a squeeze of lime juice just before serving can brighten the flavors.
4. Storage and Reheating Instructions
This Indonesian macaroni is excellent for leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Here’s how to store and reheat it properly:
- Refrigerator: Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully. Once cooled, portion the macaroni into freezer-safe containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: The best method for reheating. Transfer the macaroni to a pan or wok over medium heat. Add a splash of water or a little extra soy sauce if it seems dry. Stir frequently until thoroughly heated through.
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, place a single serving in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover lightly and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot. You might need to add a tablespoon of water to prevent it from drying out.
Nutrition
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Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions for Your Indonesian Macaroni
While this Indonesian-style macaroni is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, a few thoughtful additions can elevate your dining experience. Here are some ideas for perfect pairings and how to best serve this flavorful dish:
Side Dishes that Complement the Flavors:
- Fresh Cucumber Salad: A simple, quick cucumber salad (sliced cucumber, red onion, a splash of rice vinegar, and a pinch of sugar) provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, spicy macaroni. Its crisp texture and cool taste help cleanse the palate.
- Pickled Vegetables (Acar): Traditional Indonesian pickled vegetables, known as Acar, offer a tangy and slightly sweet crunch that beautifully cuts through the richness of the main dish. Carrots, cucumbers, and sometimes cabbage are common ingredients.
- Crispy Prawn Crackers (Krupuk): For an authentic Indonesian experience, serve with a side of crispy krupuk. These light, airy crackers provide a fantastic textural contrast and are perfect for scooping up any stray bits of macaroni.
- Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: If you desire more green vegetables, lightly steamed green beans or blanched asparagus with a drizzle of sesame oil can be a simple, healthy addition.
Enhancing Your Serving:
- Extra Fried Onions (Bawang Goreng): Don’t be shy with the crispy fried onions! They add an essential layer of texture and a savory sweetness that truly completes the dish.
- A Dash of Lime: A fresh squeeze of lime juice over your serving can brighten all the flavors, adding a zesty finish that enhances the overall taste.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro or green onions (scallions) can add a touch of color and a fresh, aromatic note.
- Additional Sambal: For the true spice lovers, a small bowl of extra sambal (like Sambal Oelek or Sambal Badjak) on the side allows everyone to customize their heat level.
Beverage Pairings:
- Iced Jasmine Tea: A refreshing glass of iced jasmine tea is a wonderful non-alcoholic choice that complements Asian flavors.
- Light Lager or Pilsner: For those who enjoy a beer, a crisp, light lager or pilsner can help cut through the richness and spice.
- Sparkling Water with Citrus: A simple sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime is always a great palate cleanser.
Whether you keep it simple or go all out with traditional sides, this Indonesian macaroni is sure to be a hit at your next meal!
3 x Indonesian-Style Recipes
- Easy Indonesian Frikadel Pan Recipe
- Indonesian Noodle Salad {with shrimp}
- Thousand Layers Cake (Lapis Legit)