Turkish Pasta
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A Note from Feedfeed
Take your pasta night to the next level with this delicious and vibrant Turkish-inspired pasta dish, popularized by Anna Paul. Bursting with bold flavors and satisfying textures, this recipe layers perfectly cooked pasta with spiced ground beef, creamy garlic yogurt, and a buttery paprika drizzle. Fresh toppings of cucumber, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and feta add brightness and balance. It’s a fun, approachable dish that’s perfect for weeknights or sharing with friends.
Recipe Description
This Turkish-inspired pasta recipe combines hearty, spiced ground beef with creamy garlic yogurt and a warm, paprika-infused butter sauce for an unforgettable meal. The toppings—fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, tangy feta, and vibrant parsley—add refreshing contrast, while a squeeze of lemon ties everything together. Whether you’re familiar with Turkish flavors or trying them for the first time, this dish offers a flavorful twist on classic pasta.
- Ingredient Notes
- FAQs
- Recipe Card
Ingredient Notes
Short pasta: Opt for sturdy shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli that can hold the hearty toppings.
Ground beef: Choose 80/20 for a balance of flavor and tenderness, but leaner options work too.
Greek yogurt: Full-fat Greek yogurt delivers the creamiest result and balances the spices in the dish.
Paprika and cayenne: These spices give the beef and butter their signature smoky and spicy flavor. Feel free to adjust based on your heat tolerance.
Cherry tomatoes and cucumber: These fresh veggies bring crunch and brightness to the dish, enhancing its balance.
Feta and parsley: Crumbled feta adds tangy creaminess, while parsley brings a pop of freshness.
Salted butter: Its richness makes the paprika butter sauce extra luscious. Unsalted butter can be used; just adjust the seasoning.
Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is essential for tying the flavors together and adding a bright, zesty finish.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! Ground lamb or turkey would work wonderfully in this recipe. For a vegetarian option, try lentils or plant-based ground meat.
What kind of pasta should I use?
Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or shells are ideal because they hold the sauce and toppings well. However, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape.
Can I make this ahead of time?
The components can be prepared separately: cook the pasta, prepare the ground beef, mix the yogurt sauce, and make the paprika butter. Store them in separate containers and assemble just before serving.
Is this dish spicy?
The cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat, but you can adjust the spice level to your liking by using less cayenne or omitting it altogether.
What can I serve with this pasta?
This pasta is a complete meal on its own, but a side of warm pita bread or a simple green salad would pair beautifully.
Recipe Card
ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound short pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 finely diced onion
- 6 divided minced garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound ground beef
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons divided paprika
- 1 teaspoon divided cayenne pepper
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 divided lemon
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1 diced cucumber
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- for serving Crumbled feta
Method
Method
Step 1
Heavily salt a pot of water and bring it to boil. Add in the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium. Add in the onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add in half the minced garlic, and cook about 30 seconds. Add in the tomato paste and cook about 5 minutes, until slightly darkened.
Step 3
Add in the ground beef and break apart into tiny pieces. Add in a hefty pinch kosher salt, black pepper, half the paprika, and half the cayenne. Cook, stirring often, until fully dark brown and slightly crisped up.
Step 4
Into a bowl, add in the Greek yogurt, a large pinch kosher salt, the other half of the minced garlic, and juice of half the lemon. Stir to mix. Set aside.
Step 5
In a small pan over medium low, add in the butter, the other half of paprika, and the other half of cayenne. Cook and mix just until the butter is melted. Remove from heat.
Step 6
Serve the cooked pasta in bowls, and top with the cooked beef mixture. Top that with some of the yogurt mixture and the melted butter mixture. Garnish with the tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and feta. Squeeze the other half of the lemon juice over top. Enjoy immediately!