Name: Viral Turkish Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 2 cups Greek yogurt; 4 garlic cloves (grated); Juice from ½ lemon; Salt (to taste); 1 lb ground beef; 1 yellow onion (diced); 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp cumin; 3 tbsp tomato paste; Salt and pepper (to taste); ¼ cup butter; 1 tsp sweet paprika; Cherry tomatoes (halved); Fresh parsley (chopped); Feta cheese (crumbled); 12 oz cooked pasta (like fusilli or penne)

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Introduction

This Viral Turkish Pasta brings together creamy garlic yogurt, spiced ground beef, and tender pasta for a comforting and flavorful meal. With a touch of paprika butter and fresh toppings, it’s an easy dish that feels special and satisfying.

A white bowl with a thin blue rim holds three main layers of food, sitting on a white marbled surface. The first layer is large pasta shells, pale yellow and smooth, filling the bottom and edges of the bowl. On top of the pasta is a thick white sauce or cream that covers part of the shells unevenly. The top layer is crumbled cooked ground meat mixed with small pieces of cooked onion, rich brown in color with a slightly oily texture. Bright red cherry tomato slices are scattered over the meat, adding a fresh, juicy look. Green chopped herbs are sprinkled over the whole dish, giving a fresh color contrast. Some orange-red oil drizzles around the cream and meat layers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups Greek yogurt
4 garlic cloves (grated)
Juice from ½ lemon
Salt (to taste)
1 lb ground beef
1 yellow onion (diced)
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cumin
3 tbsp tomato paste
Salt and pepper (to taste)
¼ cup butter
1 tsp sweet paprika
Cherry tomatoes (halved)
Fresh parsley (chopped)
Feta cheese (crumbled)
12 oz cooked pasta (like fusilli or penne)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the garlic yogurt by combining Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion for 2-3 minutes until soft.
Step 3: Stir in sweet paprika, garlic powder, and cumin. Cook for another 2 minutes to toast the spices.
Step 4: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Stir well and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the sweet paprika and stir gently until it starts to bubble. Remove from heat.
Step 6: Place the cooked pasta in a serving dish or on individual plates.
Step 7: Top the pasta with the garlic yogurt mixture, then spoon the spiced beef over it.
Step 8: Drizzle the warm paprika butter over everything.
Step 9: Finish by adding halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Step 10: Serve immediately and enjoy your cozy, flavorful Turkish pasta.

Tips & Variations

Use ground lamb instead of beef for a richer, more authentic flavor.
Swap the Greek yogurt for labneh for a thicker, tangier topping.
Add a pinch of chili flakes to the beef for a spicy kick.
Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder to enhance the aroma in the beef mixture.
Try different pasta shapes like rigatoni or farfalle to change the texture experience.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. The yogurt topping is best added fresh after reheating to maintain its texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A dish served in a white bowl with a thin green rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is large shell pasta in a light yellow color, creating a base. Above this is a creamy white sauce with some orange oil streaks mixed in. On top of the sauce, there is a layer of browned ground meat cooked with small pieces of onion, giving a rich brown and slightly glossy look. Cherry tomato halves, bright red and juicy, are placed evenly over the meat. The dish is garnished with small white crumbles of cheese and chopped green herbs scattered on top, adding fresh color and texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat alternative for a vegetarian version.

What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Pasta shapes that hold sauce well, like fusilli or penne, work best because they catch the beef and yogurt mixture nicely, enhancing each bite.