Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is fast, budget-friendly, and incredibly satisfying. It delivers bold flavor with minimal ingredients and requires no complicated techniques.
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Viral & Creamy Turkish Pasta: A Simple Comfort Dish with Bold Flavor
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Viral & Creamy Turkish Pasta is a rich and comforting dish inspired by Turkish mantı flavors, featuring pasta tossed in a garlicky yogurt sauce, spiced butter, and savory ground beef for a bold, creamy finish.
Ingredients
- 400 g pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 250 g ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp dried mint
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté onion until soft.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in garlic, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt and heavy cream until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss with the beef mixture.
- Lower heat and stir in the yogurt mixture until creamy and heated through.
- In a small pan, melt butter and add dried mint, heating briefly.
- Drizzle mint butter over the pasta.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Do not boil the yogurt sauce to prevent curdling.
- Greek yogurt can be used for a thicker sauce.
- Adjust chili flakes to control spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Pasta serves as the base of the dish, providing structure and absorbing the creamy yogurt sauce beautifully.
Greek yogurt forms the core of the sauce, offering tang, creaminess, and a lighter alternative to cream-based sauces.
Garlic adds sharpness and aroma, balancing the richness of the yogurt and butter.
Butter creates a luxurious finish and carries the spices evenly across the dish.
Olive oil helps soften the garlic gently and prevents it from burning.
Paprika brings warmth, color, and mild smokiness to the butter sauce.
Chili flakes add gentle heat and depth, adjustable to personal preference.
Salt enhances all flavors and balances the tang of the yogurt.
Black pepper adds subtle heat and complexity.
Fresh parsley provides freshness and visual contrast when sprinkled on top.
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve a small amount of the pasta cooking water before draining.
In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and set aside, allowing the garlic flavor to infuse gently into the yogurt.
In a small pan, melt the butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add paprika and chili flakes, stirring briefly until fragrant. Remove from heat to avoid burning the spices.
Return the drained pasta to the pot and gently fold in the yogurt mixture, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Drizzle the spiced butter over the pasta and toss gently until evenly coated. Finish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Equipment needed
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results
Servings and timing
This recipe serves four people. Preparation takes approximately 10 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes of cooking time.
Storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a small splash of water to restore creaminess. Avoid high heat, as yogurt can separate.
Variations and Customizations
This pasta is highly adaptable while maintaining its signature character. For added protein, cooked ground beef or sautéed mushrooms can be stirred in before serving. I tested this recipe with grilled chicken, and it paired exceptionally well with the tangy yogurt sauce.
You can adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing the chili flakes. Smoked paprika adds a deeper, more robust flavor if preferred. For a richer result, a small amount of cream can be mixed into the yogurt, though I found it unnecessary.
Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta works well without altering the sauce. These variations allow you to tailor the dish to your preferences while preserving its viral appeal.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 58 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
Expert Tips & Customizations
Yogurt Temperature
Use room-temperature yogurt to prevent curdling when mixed with pasta.
Garlic Balance
Finely mince garlic to avoid harsh raw flavor.
Butter Control
Remove butter from heat once spices bloom to prevent bitterness.
Sauce Consistency
Pasta water is key for achieving a silky, cohesive sauce.
FAQs
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes, but strain it first to remove excess liquid.
Is this pasta very spicy?
No, the heat is mild and easily adjustable.
Can I serve this cold?
It is best served warm for optimal texture and flavor.
Does the yogurt taste sour?
The butter and spices balance the tang effectively.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, sautéed spinach or zucchini work well.
Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is naturally vegetarian.
Conclusion
Viral & Creamy Turkish Pasta proves that simplicity can be incredibly satisfying. With its creamy yogurt base, aromatic spiced butter, and quick preparation, it is a comforting, flavorful dish that deserves its popularity and a place in your regular meal rotation.
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