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Turkish Pasta with Spiced Ground Beef and Creamy Yogurt Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 137 reviews

This Turkish Pasta Recipe combines tender pasta with a flavorful ground beef sauce, creamy garlic yogurt dressing, and a spiced butter drizzle. Inspired by Turkish flavors, this dish offers a delightful mix of spices, tangy yogurt, and fresh herbs, making it a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (farfalle recommended, but any shape works)
  • Kosher salt (for pasta water)

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

Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (unsweetened plain, full fat or skim)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste, such as Aleppo or Urfa chili pepper)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Garnishes (optional)

  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 tablespoons dried mint or fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons sumac (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season it generously with kosher salt until it tastes like the ocean. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 9-10 minutes depending on the brand. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and it releases oils. Add the chopped onion, red pepper paste, onion powder, cumin, sweet paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 5-6 minutes until onions are softened and meat is thoroughly cooked. Use reserved pasta water if needed to keep the mixture moist. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Prepare Yogurt Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.
  4. Make Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in sweet paprika, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Cook until the butter is fully melted and bubbly, then remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the Dish: Place cooked pasta in serving bowls. Top each with about 4 tablespoons of the yogurt sauce and ⅔ cup of the cooked beef mixture. Drizzle each bowl generously with the spiced butter sauce. Repeat for remaining servings.
  6. Add Garnishes: If desired, garnish each bowl with halved cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of dried mint or fresh parsley, and a dusting of sumac. Serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta cooking water to adjust meat sauce consistency if it becomes too dry.
  • Red pepper paste can be substituted with tomato paste but will alter the flavor slightly.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes in the butter sauce to control spiciness.
  • Sumac is optional but adds a lovely tangy note typical in Turkish cuisine.
  • Use fresh herbs like parsley if dried mint is unavailable.
  • This dish is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and gently reheated.

Keywords: Turkish pasta, beef pasta, yogurt sauce, Turkish recipe, paprika butter sauce, quick dinner, Mediterranean pasta

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/turkish-pasta-with-spiced-ground-beef-and-creamy-yogurt-sauce-recipe/