Turkish Pasta
A comforting dish featuring creamy yogurt and spiced beef enveloped in tender pasta, perfect for family or friends.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces al dente pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing
- 1 pound ground beef Juicy for the sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped For flavor base
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Enhances aroma
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- to taste salt and black pepper For seasoning
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste For richness
Toppings
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain Creamy topping
- 1 clove garlic, grated For the yogurt mix
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted For drizzling on top
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes For a spicy kick
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté the onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Incorporate ground beef; cook until browned.
- Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper; simmer for 2-3 minutes. Then add tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt with grated garlic and a pinch of salt.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan, add red pepper flakes, and let it sizzle for 1-2 minutes.
Serving
- Layer the pasta on a plate, spoon over the garlicky yogurt, top with spiced beef, and drizzle with red pepper-infused butter.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra depth, add a splash of lemon juice to the yogurt mix. Adjust spice levels by increasing red pepper flakes or adding chili powder to the beef mix. Use store-bought pre-cooked pasta for a quick option.