Turkish pasta isn’t your average noodle dish—it’s a comforting, savory explosion of flavor inspired by Turkey’s beloved manti dumplings. With layers of tender pasta, rich beef sauce, creamy garlic yogurt, and sizzling spiced butter, this dish delivers all the taste of traditional Turkish cuisine without the hours of prep. Whether you’re exploring Turkish recipes or looking to spice up pasta night, this quick and satisfying meal is a must-try.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🇹🇷 Authentic Turkish flavors made simple
- 🧄 A bold combination of garlic, yogurt, and spices
- ⏱️ Ready in under 30 minutes
- 🍝 Customizable with your favorite pasta shapes
- 🥄 Layers of texture and taste in every bite
- 🧑🍳 Beginner-friendly and meal-prep friendly
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 300g pasta (shell, penne, or fusilli)
Ground Beef Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 450g ground beef
- 2 medium tomatoes, pureed (or ¾ cup canned tomatoes)
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp pul biber (or Aleppo/cayenne pepper)
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 200g plain yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, mashed
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
Spiced Butter Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried mint
- 2 tsp paprika (sweet or hot)
Instructions
- Make the Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions until soft, then add garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef, breaking it up. Cook until browned and slightly crispy. Stir in spices and pureed tomatoes. Simmer for 5–7 minutes. Set aside. - Cook the Pasta
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. - Prepare the Yogurt Sauce
In a bowl, mix yogurt, garlic, salt, and lemon juice until smooth. Add a little water if too thick. - Make the Butter Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt butter with olive oil. Add dried mint and paprika. Cook for just 5–10 seconds—don’t let it burn! Remove from heat. - Assemble the Dish
Divide pasta into bowls. Top with beef sauce, followed by yogurt sauce. Drizzle with hot butter sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Calories: ~764 per serving
Nutrition Facts (Approximate)
- Calories: 764
- Fat: 39g
- Carbs: 70g
- Protein: 33g
- Sodium: 1686mg
- Sugar: 9g
- Fiber: 6g
Tips & Variations
- 🧈 Use Greek yogurt with lemon juice to mimic traditional Turkish tang.
- 🐑 Substitute lamb for a more authentic Anatolian flavor.
- 🌿 Add fresh parsley, sumac, or crushed walnuts on top for texture.
- 🔥 Love heat? Double the pul biber or use hot paprika.
- 🍅 No tomatoes? Use a thick tomato puree instead.
FAQs
Can I make Turkish pasta ahead of time?
Yes! Make the meat sauce up to 4 days in advance. Store separately and reheat gently.
Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Absolutely. All sauces are naturally gluten-free—just swap the pasta.
What does pul biber taste like?
Pul biber (Turkish red pepper flakes) has a smoky, mild heat. You can sub with Aleppo pepper or a mix of paprika and chili powder.
Can I freeze it?
Only the beef sauce freezes well (up to 3 months). The yogurt and butter sauces don’t freeze properly.
Turkish Pasta
Equipment
- – Skillet
- – Pot
- – Mixing bowls
- – Garlic press (optional)
Ingredients
- **Pasta**
- – 300g pasta penne, shells, or fusilli
- **Ground Beef Sauce**
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 onion chopped
- – 2 garlic cloves minced
- – 2 tbsp tomato paste
- – 450g ground beef
- – 2 tomatoes pureed (or ¾ cup canned)
- – 1½ tsp salt
- – ½ tsp black pepper
- – 1 tsp cumin
- – 2 tsp paprika
- – 2 tsp dried oregano
- – 1 tsp pul biber or Aleppo pepper
- **Garlic Yogurt Sauce**
- – 200g plain yogurt
- – 2 cloves garlic mashed
- – 1 tsp salt
- – ½ tbsp lemon juice
- **Spiced Butter Sauce**
- – 2 tbsp butter
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – 2 tsp dried mint
- – 2 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Heat olive oil. Sauté onions, garlic, and tomato paste.
- Add beef, cook until browned. Stir in spices and tomatoes. Simmer 5–7 mins.
- Cook pasta. Drain.
- Mix yogurt sauce in a bowl. Thin if needed.
- Melt butter & olive oil. Add mint and paprika. Cook 5–10 secs.
- Layer pasta → beef → yogurt → butter. Serve hot with parsley.
Notes
– Pul biber = smoky heat
– Make meat sauce ahead for meal prep
Conclusion
If you’re craving bold, comforting flavors without a complicated cooking process, Turkish pasta delivers. It’s a satisfying blend of creamy, spicy, tangy, and hearty—everything you want in one bowl. Plus, it’s ready in under 30 minutes! From weeknight dinners to a cozy Sunday meal, this recipe will quickly become a favorite. Serve it with a simple Turkish salad and enjoy your new go-to dish.