try aptitude install build-essentials -r also aptitude install deb-src -r. The -r switch tells aptitude and apt-get to get everything that's recommended by a particular package for installation. It takes up a bit more disk space but runs on the same principle as Rule 1 for the homeless; bring clotheing with you since if you need it you can put it on, if you need it and didn't bring it you may not be able to put it on. If you don't need the clotheing you can always take it off.
