Turkish Pasta
A delicious combination of farfalle pasta, spiced ground beef or lamb, creamy yogurt, and a flavorful butter sauce delivers a delightful mix of textures and tastes, representing the heart of Turkish cuisine.
Ingredients
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound Farfalle pasta Also known as bowtie pasta.
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb Feel free to mix both for richer flavor.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika Use an additional 2 tablespoons for the butter sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 yellow onion diced
Yogurt Sauce and Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt For the yogurt mixture.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley For garnishing.
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced For garnishing.
Spiced Butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper Optional for extra heat.
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin Optional.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by boiling a large pot of water. Add a pinch of salt and toss in the farfalle pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or lamb, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Stir in the onion powder, paprika, black pepper, curry powder, and salt. Mix well and cook until the meat is browned.
- Add the diced yellow onion and continue cooking for about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.
Sauce Preparation
- In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with the additional half teaspoon of salt and minced garlic. Stir until well combined and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the paprika and any optional spices. Whisk everything together and remove from heat once combined.
Assembly and Serving
- In a large serving bowl, combine the drained farfalle pasta with the meat mixture. Toss together until the pasta is well coated with the savory ingredients.
- Serve the pasta topped with a generous scoop of the yogurt sauce. Drizzle over the spiced butter sauce and finish with chopped parsley and sliced cherry tomatoes.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, or freeze for longer storage. Consider adding extra vegetables for more nutrition.