Turkish Pasta has been making waves on TikTok, and it’s no surprise why. This vibrant, savory dish combines layers of hearty beef, tangy yogurt sauce, and spiced butter for an irresistible meal bursting with flavor and texture!
Table of Contents
What Is Turkish Pasta?
Turkish pasta is an indulgent combination of perfectly cooked pasta, a spiced ground beef mixture, creamy garlic yogurt sauce, and fragrant, buttery sauce. This dish offers a rich combination of tangy, savory, and spicy flavors, making it a hearty and comforting meal. With each forkful, you get the smooth richness of yogurt, the warming heat of spices, and the tender bite of pasta.
This dish has recently gone viral on TikTok, capturing the hearts (and appetites) of food enthusiasts around the globe. Its appeal lies in the way it elevates simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal. Turkish pasta is quick to assemble, yet it has the sophistication and depth to impress anyone lucky enough to grab a plate!
Ingredients You Need
Ground Beef Mixture:
- Ground Beef – Lean beef works best for this recipe, creating a flavorful base without excess grease. Break it up as it cooks for even browning.
- Yellow Onion – Freshly chopped onion adds natural sweetness and depth. Sauté it until soft to enhance its flavor.
- Tomato Paste – This thick, rich paste intensifies the savory flavor and gives the beef mixture its gorgeous color.
- Ground Cumin – We love the warmth and complexity of this earthy spice.
- Sweet Paprika – Paprika adds a subtle sweetness and helps to give the sauce its beautiful red hue of the sauce.
- Sea Salt – Just a bit of salt adds balance to the rich flavors. Adjust to taste as you go.
- Ground Black Pepper – A touch of pepper adds gentle heat without overpowering the dish.
Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- Plain Full-Fat Yogurt – Creamy and slightly tangy, yogurt creates a rich base for the sauce. Use full-fat yogurt for the best consistency.
- Sour Cream – We love this for its tangy flavor! It also makes the sauce irresistibly rich.
- Garlic – Mince your fresh garlic cloves finely to ensure the flavor melds seamlessly into the sauce.
- Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice – This adds brightness and acidity which balances out the creaminess.
- Sea Salt – A pinch of salt brings out the flavors in the yogurt sauce beautifully.
Butter Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter – Use high-quality butter to build the base for this aromatic sauce.
- Sweet Paprika – Paprika adds more vibrant color and mild sweetness.
- Sumac – This tangy, lemony spice elevates the flavors with a subtle kick of citrus.
- Coriander – Coriander adds a gentle nuttiness to the sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic infuses the butter with savory flavor.
- Aleppo Pepper or Chili Pepper Flakes – Either of these will give the sauce a smoky, spicy finish. Adjust the quantity to match your heat preference.
- Sea Salt – Salt helps to bring out the flavor of all of the spices.
For Serving:
- Cooked Pasta of Choice – Small pasta like shells or orecchiette works best for scooping up all the sauce and toppings. You can also use stuffed pastas like tortellini or ravioli.
- Fresh Parsley, Mint, and Grape Tomatoes (Optional) – We love the refreshing pop of color and flavor that these toppings add to the finished dish.
How to Make Turkish Pasta
- Prepare the pasta. Follow the package directions to cook your pasta to al dente. Before draining, reserve a bit of the pasta water.
- Cook the beef mixture. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef. Once it has browned, stir in the onion and sauté until tender. Add the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook briefly and add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
- Mix the yogurt sauce. Combine yogurt, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Stir until smooth, then chill until ready to use.
- Make the butter sauce. Melt the butter in a pan before stirring in the spices and garlic. Once the spices and garlic are incorporated and the mixture has become aromatic, remove the pan from the stovetop.
- Assemble the dish. Spread the pasta on a platter. Add the beef mixture on top, then pour the yogurt sauce on top.
- Finish with butter sauce. Pour the spiced butter sauce evenly over the dish.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and chopped grape tomatoes for a colorful and fresh finishing touch.
Variations
- Vegetarian – Swap the ground beef for crumbled tofu, lentils, or mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian take.
- Spiciness – Increase the amount of Aleppo pepper or chili pepper flakes in the butter sauce for extra heat.
- Whole Wheat Pasta – Use whole wheat pasta to add nutty flavor and extra fiber.
- Dairy-Free – Substitute plant-based yogurt, sour cream, and butter for a dairy-free version.
- Seafood – Use sautéed shrimp or flaked salmon instead of beef for a lighter protein.
- Spices – Experiment with smoked paprika or add cinnamon to the beef mixture for a deeper, warm flavor.
- Toppings – Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or crumbled feta on top for added texture and flavor.
Can I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored but the pasta’s texture may change if you store it all together. For maximum freshness, keep the components separate and combine just before reheating.
Refrigerate the sauces and pasta in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days.
To freeze, store the beef and sauces in separate freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating and assembling.
Common Questions about Turkish Pasta
One of the most famous Turkish pasta dishes is called “erişte,” which is similar to homemade noodles but with a unique texture and preparation style. Turkish cuisine also features “manti” — tiny pasta dumplings that are often called “Turkish ravioli,” though technically they’re in their own category between pasta and dumplings!
Turkish pasta tends to be heartier and features a yogurt-based sauce in addition to a tomato tomato-based sauce. One big difference is that Turkish pasta is also served with a heavenly combination of butter and spices like red pepper flakes, making the dish distinctly Middle Eastern.
Absolutely! Pasta has been a staple in Turkish cooking for centuries. In fact, there’s evidence suggesting that Central Asian Turks were making noodles even before they migrated to modern-day Turkey, and these traditions have evolved into the amazing pasta dishes we see today.
While pasta dishes are found throughout Turkey, the central Anatolian region is particularly known for its erişte and manti. The city of Kayseri is especially renowned for its manti — they make it so small it’s said you can fit a spoonful in your mouth all at once!
More Flavorful Pasta Recipes
For us, pasta dinners are like a big hug in a bowl! If pasta is your go-to comfort food, too, take a peek at some of our other favorite recipes that are chock-full of flavor.
Koshary-Inspired Egyptian Pasta
One Pot Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
Turkish Pasta
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef 93% lean
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped (about 1 cup)
- 4 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
For the Butter Sauce:
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or Chili pepper flakes more or less to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
For Serving:
- 16 ounces cooked pasta of choice e.g., ravioli, tortellini, or small pasta like orecchiette or shells
- Fresh parsley fresh mint, grape tomatoes chopped (optional)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Cook your pasta of choice according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.16 ounces cooked pasta of choice
Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.1 pound ground beef
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.1 medium yellow onion
- Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the flavors meld together.4 Tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 3 teaspoons sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- If the mixture looks too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt, 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 cloves garlic, 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Prepare the Spiced Butter Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Stir in the paprika, sumac, coriander, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and sea salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant. Remove from heat.1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon sumac, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 clove garlic, 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or Chili pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Assemble the Dish:
- Layer the cooked pasta on a serving platter. Spoon the ground beef mixture over the pasta.
- Drizzle the garlic yogurt sauce generously over the top.
- Finish with the spiced butter sauce, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley, and tomatoes.Fresh parsley
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
