Turkish Pasta with Ground Beef and Yogurt

Name: Turkish Pasta with Ground Beef and Yogurt
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 12 oz shell pasta; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 1 tsp paprika; 1 lb ground beef; 2 tbsp tomato paste; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 cup Greek yogurt; 1 cup sour cream; 1 clove garlic, grated; 1/2 lemon, juiced; 3 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp paprika; 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

This Turkish pasta combines savory ground beef and tomato sauce with a cooling garlic-lemon yogurt topping and a vibrant paprika butter drizzle, coming together in just 15 minutes for an easy weeknight meal.

🌍Turkish 🏷️Turkish pasta 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Yogurt sauce Paprika butter

🏷️

🏷️Quick dinner

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TikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$31–$51

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

12 oz shell pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 tsp paprika
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp tomato paste
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup sour creamoptional
1 clove garlic, grated
1/2 lemon, juiced
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halvedoptional
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbledoptional
2 tbsp fresh parsley, choppedoptional

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Instructions

1
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large pan over medium heat, sauté the diced onion in olive oil until softened.
3
Add seasonings (paprika, salt, pepper) and stir to combine.
4
Add the ground beef to the pan. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned.
5
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute until well incorporated.
6
In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), grated garlic, and lemon juice until smooth.
7
To make the paprika butter, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the paprika and stir constantly for about one minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
8
To assemble, place a layer of cooked pasta in a bowl. Top with a generous dollop of the garlic yogurt sauce, followed by the ground beef mixture.
9
Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, and fresh parsley.
10
Finish by drizzling the warm paprika butter over the top and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Bloom the paprika and tomato paste in oil for 1–2 minutes before adding liquid to deepen their flavors.
Keep the yogurt mixture separate and cold until plating; add just before serving to prevent it from breaking or warming.
Taste the beef sauce for salt and pepper before assembly, as yogurt will mute seasoning.
Dice the onion finely so it softens quickly and distributes evenly in the 15-minute timeframe.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground lamb (richer, more traditional Turkish flavor)
Greek yogurt + sour cream → full-fat plain yogurt (thinner consistency, tangier taste)
Shell pasta → penne or rigatoni (same cooking time, similar texture)
Paprika → Aleppo pepper or sumac (different heat and tartness profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Store beef sauce and yogurt topping in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat sauce gently and add cold yogurt just before serving.

Common Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Cook the pasta and beef sauce ahead and store separately; reheat gently before serving. Add the yogurt topping fresh just before eating to maintain its cool, creamy texture.

What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Shell pasta is ideal because it catches and holds the beef sauce and yogurt. Penne or rigatoni are good alternatives with similar texture and surface area.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream?

Yes, sour cream can replace Greek yogurt entirely or be blended with it. Sour cream is tangier, so adjust seasoning to taste.

How do I know when the ground beef is fully cooked?

Brown the beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until no pink remains and it's golden—about 5–7 minutes.

Can this recipe be scaled for a larger crowd?

Yes, multiply all ingredients by the number of servings needed. Cooking time for beef and sauce remains the same; pasta cooking time stays consistent.