Turkish Pasta, also known as “Türk Makarnası,” is a delightful and satisfying dish that brings together the rich, savory flavors of spiced ground beef, the cool tang of garlic yogurt sauce, and the warm, fragrant notes of a spiced butter sauce. This recipe offers a unique twist on traditional pasta dishes, drawing inspiration from Turkish cuisine’s love for bold spices and creamy textures. It’s a culinary journey that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves you craving more.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Turkish Pasta recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for several reasons:
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of the savory ground beef, tangy yogurt sauce, and spiced butter creates an explosion of flavors in every bite. It’s a delightful dance of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more.
- Easy to Customize: Feel free to swap out pasta shapes to cater to your family’s preferences. The sauce is fantastic with ravioli, tortellini or orzo.
Ingredients:
US Customary
Metric
- 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)
Preparation:
Step 1: Cook the Pasta:
Cook your pasta of choice according to package instructions. Be sure to salt your pasta water generously! Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Once cooked, drain and set aside. Keeping the pasta warm will ensure best flavor and temperature when serving.
Step 2: Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3:
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Step 4:
Stir in the tomato paste, ground cumin, sweet paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to ensure the spices are well incorporated and the tomato paste caramelizes slightly. This step is crucial for developing a deep, rich flavor. If the mixture looks too thick or dry, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 5: Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the plain full-fat yogurt, sour cream, minced garlic, fresh squeezed lime juice, and sea salt until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve. Chilling the sauce allows the flavors to meld together and enhances its refreshing quality.
Step 6: Prepare the Spiced Butter Sauce:
In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Be careful not to burn the butter.
Step 7:
Stir in the sweet paprika, sumac, coriander, minced garlic, Aleppo pepper (or chili pepper flakes), and sea salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the spices have bloomed. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will make the sauce bitter. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 8: Assemble the Dish:
On a large serving platter or individual plates, arrange the cooked pasta in an even layer.
Step 9:
Spoon the ground beef mixture generously over the pasta, ensuring that each portion is well-covered.
Step 10:
Drizzle the garlic yogurt sauce generously over the ground beef mixture. The cool, tangy sauce will create a wonderful contrast to the warm, savory beef.
Step 11:
Finish with the spiced butter sauce, drizzling it evenly over the entire dish. The warm, fragrant butter sauce will add a final layer of flavor and richness.
Step 12: Garnish and Serve:
Garnish with fresh parsley, fresh mint, and chopped grape tomatoes for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
COOKING Rating:
- Ease of Preparation: Medium
- Flavor Complexity: High
- Overall Enjoyment: Very High
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve Turkish Pasta as a main course for lunch or dinner.
- Accompany it with a simple green salad or a side of roasted vegetables.
- Pair it with a glass of crisp white wine or a refreshing lemonade.
- For a spicier kick, add a sprinkle of extra chili flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use ground lamb instead of ground beef.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Make the garlic yogurt sauce and spiced butter sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- If you don’t have sumac on hand, you can substitute it with lemon zest.
- Get creative with your garnishes! Other options include toasted pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Add vegetables to the ground beef while cooking to add a healthy element.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)
- Calories: Approximately 650-750 per serving
- Protein: Approximately 35-45 grams per serving
- Sodium: Approximately 800-1000 mg per serving
Conclusion
Turkish Pasta is a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Turkey. The combination of spiced ground beef, tangy yogurt sauce, and fragrant butter sauce creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and exciting. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, and it’s sure to impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to experience the magic of Turkish Pasta!
Questions and Answers About This Recipe:
Q1: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to use any type of pasta you prefer. Ravioli, tortellini, orzo or shells work particularly well with this recipe. Just make sure to cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Q2: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian. Simply substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative or crumbled tofu. You can also add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
Q3: Can I make the garlic yogurt sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, the garlic yogurt sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. In fact, making it ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together and enhances its refreshing quality.
Q4: Can I freeze the leftovers?
A: While you can freeze the leftovers, the texture of the pasta and the yogurt sauce may change slightly after thawing. For best results, it’s recommended to consume the leftovers within 2-3 days.
Q5: Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the butter sauce?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the amount of chili flakes or Aleppo pepper to your preferred level of spiciness. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. You can also use a milder chili powder or omit the chili flakes altogether for a milder flavor.
