Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Turkish ground beef pasta with garlic yogurt sauce is a perfect blend of comforting flavors and rich textures. Spiced ground beef, creamy yogurt, and a buttery paprika drizzle create a satisfying dish that’s both simple and exotic. It’s an easy meal packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, perfect for a cozy dinner or a new twist on pasta night.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Pasta
- Pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or tagliatelle)
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
For the Ground Beef Mixture
- Ground beef (lean)
- Yellow onions (finely chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
- Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Tomato paste
- Pepper paste (mild)
- Paprika (sweet)
- Turkish chili flakes (or red pepper flakes)
- Dried mint
- Water
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Greek yogurt
- Garlic (minced)
- Salt
For the Paprika Butter Drizzle
- Butter (unsalted)
- Paprika
- Dried mint
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Directions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, and salt. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until soft. Stir in garlic, ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned.
- Add Tomatoes & Spices: Stir in cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, pepper paste, paprika, Turkish chili flakes, dried mint, and a splash of water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Make the Paprika Butter Drizzle: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in paprika and dried mint, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Assemble: Plate the pasta and top with the garlic yogurt sauce. Spoon the beef mixture over the yogurt, then drizzle with the paprika butter.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy warm!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Swap beef for sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
- Spicy Kick: Add more Turkish chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Extra Creamy: Stir some yogurt into the pasta for a creamier texture.
- Low-Carb Alternative: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Freezing: Freeze the ground beef mixture separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?
Yes! Ground lamb adds a richer, traditional Turkish flavor.
What’s the best pasta for this dish?
Short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni works well, but long pasta like tagliatelle is also great.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the ground beef and yogurt sauce in advance, then cook fresh pasta when ready to serve.
How do I keep the yogurt sauce from curdling?
Use full-fat Greek yogurt and avoid adding it to very hot ingredients.
Can I skip the pepper paste?
Yes, but it adds depth to the sauce. You can use extra tomato paste instead.
How do I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta or serve the beef mixture over rice.
What other spices can I use?
Cumin, coriander, or cinnamon can enhance the warm flavors.
Can I make the yogurt sauce dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative like coconut or almond-based yogurt.
What can I serve with this dish?
A side of warm pita bread, a fresh cucumber salad, or roasted vegetables pairs well.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely! Bell peppers, eggplant, or spinach would be delicious additions.
Conclusion
This Turkish ground beef pasta with garlic yogurt sauce is a bold and comforting dish that’s easy to prepare yet rich in flavor. The combination of warm spices, creamy yogurt, and buttery paprika drizzle makes it a unique and satisfying meal. Try different variations, adjust the spice level to your taste, and enjoy a taste of Turkey right from your kitchen!
Print
Turkish Ground Beef Pasta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Turkish Ground Beef Pasta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce is a rich and flavorful dish that brings Mediterranean comfort to your table! Perfectly spiced ground beef, creamy garlic yogurt, and a drizzle of buttery paprika sauce create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Beef Mixture:
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or traditional Turkish manti pasta)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp mild pepper paste (optional)
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Turkish chili flakes (or red pepper flakes)
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Spiced Butter Drizzle:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, and salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, pepper paste, paprika, chili flakes, dried mint, onion powder, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until well combined.
- Prepare the Spiced Butter Drizzle: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sweet paprika and let it sizzle for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Toss the cooked pasta with the spiced beef mixture.
- Serve topped with a generous dollop of garlic yogurt.
- Drizzle with the warm spiced butter and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a more traditional Turkish flavor.
- Add roasted eggplant or bell peppers for extra texture.
- Use Aleppo pepper instead of Turkish chili flakes for a milder heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
