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Flavorful Turkish Pasta Recipe with Creamy Yogurt and Spiced Beef Bliss Made Easy

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A quick and easy Turkish-inspired pasta dish combining creamy full-fat yogurt with spiced ground beef and sturdy pasta, perfect for cozy dinners with a balance of creaminess and spice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) short pasta like penne or rigatoni
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat plain yogurt (Greek-style recommended)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef to the skillet. Break it up and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes to deepen flavors.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine with the spiced beef mixture. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of pasta cooking water if mixture seems dry.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk 1 cup full-fat plain yogurt with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
  7. Plate the pasta and spoon the creamy yogurt sauce on top or gently swirl it in. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

If yogurt sauce is too thick, thin with a teaspoon or two of cold water. Keep yogurt sauce cool until serving to preserve texture. Use full-fat yogurt for best creaminess and flavor. Temper yogurt with warm pasta water if worried about curdling. Drain excess fat from beef but leave a little for richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Turkish pasta, creamy yogurt pasta, spiced beef pasta, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, ground beef recipe, yogurt sauce, comfort food

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/flavorful-turkish-pasta-recipe-with-creamy-yogurt-and-spiced-beef-bliss-made-easy/