Viral Turkish Pasta

Name: Viral Turkish Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: For the meat:; 1 pound lean ground beef (I use 90%) (or use turkey, chicken or lamb!)*; ½ medium white onion, finely diced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon sweet paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon mild curry powder; For the pasta:; 1 pound pasta of choice (I like shellbows); For the garlic yogurt sauce:; 2 cups whole-milk plain Greek yogurt or 2% plain Greek yogurt; 2 garlic cloves, grated; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste; For the paprika butter:; 4 tablespoons salted butter; ½ teaspoon sweet paprika; For serving:; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; Fresh chopped parsley and dill

The viral Turkish pasta recipe is an easy, delicious weeknight dinner that’s packed with protein and simple ingredients. Get heartiness from perfectly spiced lean ground beef, tangy flavor from a creamy garlic yogurt sauce, and coziness from a drizzle of paprika butter. This unique pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes and will be a new favorite!

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

35 mins

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Ever since I saw Anna Paul’s Turkish pasta recipe on TikTok I knew I had to recreate it for the blog. This pasta dish couldn’t be easier to make, and it truly checks all of the boxes: savory flavors, filling ingredients, freshness, and tons of warming spices.

The combination of cool Greek yogurt paired with warm meat and pasta is what really intrigued me, and when I tell you this iconic, viral Turkish pasta was love at first bite OMG I really mean it. The spices in the meat shine, and the fresh toppings pull everything together so well.

Bonus? It takes just 30 minutes to make and packs over 30g of protein. This is a comforting meal I’ll make again and again, and I know you will, too!

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Everything you’ll need to make the viral Turkish pasta recipe

I love a unique recipe that brings together simple, yet super flavorful ingredients that you’d never think to combine. Warm pasta with seasoned beef paired with a cool yogurt sauce and a delicious paprika butter? Sign me UP. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:

Ground beef: I like to use 90% lean ground beef because it’s a bit lighter but has enough fat to stay super flavorful. See below for more meat options!
Onion: you’ll cook the ground beef with diced white onion.
Seasonings: a little sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, curry powder, salt & pepper give them meat the coziest flavor.
Pasta: feel free to use any pasta shape you’d like! I love using shellbows in this recipe.
For the garlic yogurt sauce: you’ll simply mix plain Greek yogurt with freshly grated garlic and salt for a lovely tang that pairs beautifully with the meat.
For the paprika butter: okay, I’m obsessed with this. You’ll melt some butter and whisk in paprika for a savory drizzle on top of the pasta dish.
To serve: add freshness with cherry tomatoes, dill, and parsley!

Use your favorite meat

Feel free to ground chicken, turkey, or even lamb in place of the ground beef if you’d like! If you do choose these other meats, I suggest adding 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan before cooking.

You could also use a ground, plant-based meat to keep the dish vegetarian!

Add some extra veggies

I think this dish would be delicious with sautéed bell pepper and/or spinach, too!

Can I make it gluten-free or dairy-free?

To make it gluten-free: simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta shape.
To make it dairy-free: use a plain, dairy-free yogurt and vegan butter.

How to make this 30-minute Turkish pasta

Cook the meat. Add your ground beef to a large skillet and break it up with a meat turner or wooden spoon. Mix in the seasonings, then add the diced onion. Stir occasionally until the meat is browned on all sides and the fat absorbs.
Cook the pasta. While your beef is cooking, boil your noodles in a large pot according to the instructions on the package. Drain, and pour the noodles back into your pot.
Make the garlic yogurt sauce. Simply mix the yogurt, garlic, and salt in a bowl!
Make the butter sauce. Melt butter in a sauce pan, then whisk in the paprika until well incorporated. Set it aside.
Serve it up. Add pasta to a shallow bowl, then top with the yogurt sauce, warm beef, tomatoes and herbs, and a drizzle of the paprika butter. SO GOOD.

Storing tips

I’d suggest storing each of the components of the recipe (meat, pasta, yogurt sauce, toppings) in the fridge in separate airtight glass containers, and then assembling the bowls when you plan to eat.

More pasta recipes you’ll love

Get all of my pasta recipes here!

I hope you love my take on the viral Turkish pasta recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

Viral Turkish Pasta Recipe

4.60 from 15 votes

Monique Volz of AmbitiousKitchen.com

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

6 servings

The viral Turkish pasta recipe is an easy, delicious weeknight dinner that's packed with protein and simple ingredients. Get heartiness from perfectly spiced lean ground beef, tangy flavor from a creamy garlic yogurt sauce, and coziness from a drizzle of paprika butter. This unique pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes and will be a new favorite!

Ingredients

For the meat:
1 pound lean ground beef (I use 90%) (or use turkey, chicken or lamb!)*
½ medium white onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon mild curry powder
For the pasta:
1 pound pasta of choice (I like shellbows)
For the garlic yogurt sauce:
2 cups whole-milk plain Greek yogurt or 2% plain Greek yogurt
2 garlic cloves, grated
¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
For the paprika butter:
4 tablespoons salted butter
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
For serving:
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh chopped parsley and dill

Instructions

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in the beef. Break apart meat with a meat masher or a wooden spoon. Season the meat by sprinkling the salt, lots of freshly ground black pepper, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and curry powder evenly over the meat and continuing to break apart the meat. Add in the diced onion and stir well to incorporate into the meat mixture. Cook the meat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to turn nice and golden brown on all sides and the fat absorbs, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cover to keep the meat warm until you are ready to serve.
Cook the pasta: While the meat is cooking, place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the directions on the package, then drain and return to the pot.
Make the garlic yogurt sauce: Add the yogurt, grated garlic and salt to a medium bowl and stir together until well combined. Taste and add more salt, as necessary to taste.
Make the butter sauce: Place a small saucepan over medium heat and add in the butter. Once butter melts completely, gently whisk in the paprika until smooth and incorporated into the butter and allow it to cook for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove from the heat.
Serve: Add the warm pasta to shallow bowls, then top with the garlic yogurt sauce, warm beef, then some halved tomatoes plus a little parsley and dill to your liking. Finish the bowls off with a drizzle of the paprika butter sauce.