Description
This Turkish Pasta recipe is a TikTok-viral 30-minute meal featuring layers of al dente pasta, savory spiced ground beef, creamy garlicky yogurt sauce, and a flavorful chili butter drizzle. Perfect for a quick yet satisfying main course, it captures authentic Turkish flavors in a simple, approachable dish.
Ingredients
For The Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (farfalle recommended, any shape works)
- Kosher salt (for pasta water)
For The Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef (93% lean)
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon red pepper paste or tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For The Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (unsweetened plain, full fat or skim)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For The Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste, e.g., Aleppo or Urfa pepper)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
As Garnish (Optional)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons dried mint or fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons sumac (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and generously season it with kosher salt until it tastes like the ocean. Add pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 9-10 minutes depending on your pasta brand. Reserve ½ cup of cooking water, drain pasta, and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink and oils are released. Add chopped onion, red pepper or tomato paste, onion powder, ground cumin, sweet paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir regularly and cook for another 5-6 minutes until onions soften and meat is fully cooked. Use reserved pasta water if needed to keep the sauce moist. Remove from heat.
- Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and kosher salt until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
- Prepare the Butter Sauce: Melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sweet paprika, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Cook until butter is fully melted and bubbly, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the Dish: Place cooked pasta into serving bowls. Top each with 4 tablespoons of garlic yogurt sauce and approximately ⅔ cup of the spiced meat sauce. Drizzle with a tablespoon or more of the chili butter sauce. Repeat layering for remaining servings.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, dried mint or fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of sumac. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- This recipe yields 4 servings; nutrition facts are per serving.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust moisture in meat sauce if needed, though it might not be required if cooking simultaneously.
- No olive oil is needed for sautéing meat as it releases enough fat when cooked properly; however, a splash can be added if preferred.
- Store leftovers by keeping pasta, meat sauce, and butter sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat and assemble before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course - Pasta Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
