• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fast Recipe Food Blog
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Latest Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Recipes by Ingredient » Pasta

    Turkish Pasta Dish

    Published by: Adina August 24, 2023 Leave a comment

    Sharing is caring!

    13 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard

    This comforting Turkish pasta dish combines tender beef and zucchini with pasta, creating a satisfying meal. What sets it apart is the creamy yogurt infused with garlic.

    Jump to Recipe
    plate with spaghetti, ground beef and yogurt on top.

    Are you looking for a fast and effortless dinner for busy weeknights? Give this comforting Turkish pasta dish with ground beef and zucchini a shot! Packed with hearty protein, delicious veggies, and creamy garlicky yogurt, it's a delight. Plus, it's ready in just about 30 minutes!

    And if you’re not keen on zucchini, no problem! Replace it with any veggie you like. How about peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans or peas? All of them are thoroughly delicious when combined with ground meat and pasta.

    Check out more of our favorite pasta recipes: Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta, Tahini Pasta, Creme Fraiche Salmon Pasta, or Mascarpone Pasta.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe ingredients
    • How to make a Turkish pasta dish?
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQ
    • How to store and reheat?
    • What to serve with Turkish-style pasta?
    • More Mediterranean recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Recipe ingredients

    listed ingredients for making turkish style pasta with ground beef, zucchini and yogurt sauce.
    • Pasta: I used spaghetti this time, but feel free to use any pasta shape you have on hand – whether it's long or short.
    • Ground beef: I prefer lean beef, which makes draining the excess fat from the pan unnecessary. However, if your beef has more fat (or if you go with ground lamb), consider draining the fat before adding zucchini and paprika powder.
    • Zucchini: One medium or two smaller ones, you will need about 12-14 oz/ 300 -400 g.
    • Greek yogurt: I prefer rich, full-fat yogurt to accompany this Turkish pasta dish. Yet, you can opt for a lower-fat yogurt – just ensure it's around 3% fat, avoiding fat-free varieties.
    • Garlic: At least two garlic cloves, but I usually use more because I adore garlic.
    • Paprika powder: I use unsmoked, hot paprika powder. It’s preferable to use it to taste as some brands can be spicier than others. If one teaspoon is too hot, use ½ a teaspoon hot paprika and ½ teaspoon sweet paprika powder.
    • Dill: Fresh or frozen dill; please don’t use dried dill; it’s useless in terms of flavor.
    • Other ingredients: Olive oil for frying the beef and zucchini, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper.
    • Optional: Red pepper or red chili flakes (pul biber) or a touch of cayenne pepper to sprinkle on top of the yogurt.

    How to make a Turkish pasta dish?

    • Cook the pasta al dente. In the meantime, prepare the rest of the ingredients (1).
    spaghetti draining in a sieve.
    • Cook the ground beef in the hot oil in a large frying pan, breaking the lumps with a spatula or wooden spoon until no longer pink (3-4 minutes) (2).
    • Add the sliced zucchini (3) and hot paprika. Stir well and cook until the minced meat is cooked through and the zucchini slices are softer but not mushy (8-10 minutes). Add dill, salt and pepper to taste (4).
    • Garlic yogurt: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, grated garlic, salt, and pepper to taste (5).
    collage of two pictures of cooking ground meat and slicing zucchini.
    collage of two pictures of cooking beef with zucchini and yogurt sauce in a bowl.
    • Serve immediately. Divide the pasta between four plates, top with the beef sauce, and then with yogurt. If desired, sprinkle the yogurt with red pepper flakes or a little cayenne pepper.

    Expert Tips

    • Meat: If the meat is fatty or if you use ground lamb, consider draining the excess fat before adding the zucchini and paprika. For a super-lean dish, make the sauce with ground turkey.
    • Replace zucchini with other vegetables like peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or peas.
    • Vegetable additions: Amp up the veggie content by incorporating bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or spinach. Another great addition is toasted pine nuts on top of the yogurt.

    Recipe FAQ

    What is this Turkish pasta dish called?

    This dish is often referred to as "Kiymali Makarna," which translates to "Pasta with Ground Beef" in Turkish.

    Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?

    Yes, you can substitute ground lamb for beef if you prefer. It will add a different flavor profile to the dish, but an amazingly tasty one.

    Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    You can prepare the beef and zucchini and the garlic yogurt one day ahead of time. Refrigerate the two sauces in separate airtight containers. Cook the pasta and reheat the meat sauce just before serving.

    How to store and reheat?

    • Separate the cooked pasta, beef sauce, and yogurt topping before storing.
    • Refrigeration: Place each component in airtight containers. The pasta and beef sauce can be stored for 3-4 days, while the yogurt is best consumed within 1-2 days to retain freshness.
    • Freeze only the meat sauce. Place it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge and reheat before serving. However, remember that the zucchini will change its texture after freezing, becoming softer and somewhat mushy.

    What to serve with Turkish-style pasta?

    • soda bread without buttermilk close up on a wooden board.
      Soda Bread without Buttermilk
    • close up vibrant beet apple salad topped with pecans and parsley.
      Beet Apple Salad
    • honey sriracha brussels sprouts on a baking tray.
      Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
    • close up of air fryer asparagus sprinkled with parmesan on a white plate.
      Quick Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Side salad: A refreshing salad with crisp greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette.
    • Bread or flatbread: Serve with warm, crusty bread, pita, or flatbread to mop up the delicious sauce.
    • Pickled vegetables, such as cucumbers, onions, or mixed pickles.
    • Roasted vegetables: Roasted bell peppers, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes can be a flavorful and colorful side dish.
    close up of a plate with spaghetti, minced meat and yogurt.

    More Mediterranean recipes

    • Creamy Butter Bean Hummus
    • Easy Falafel Sandwich
    • Spinach and Feta Muffins
    • Easy Lebanese Lentil Soup
    • Hummus Pasta
    Hungry for More Fast Recipes?

    Sign up for our Newsletter to receive new, quick, and delicious recipes in your inbox occasionally! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook

    Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!

    📖 Recipe

    turkish pasta dish with with ground beef and yogurt.

    Turkish Pasta Dish (with Ground Beef and Yogurt)

    Try a cozy Turkish pasta dish that brings together soft beef, zucchini, and pasta for a satisfying meal. What makes it special is the creamy yogurt with a hint of garlic.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Share Grow.meSaved! Rate
    Course: Main Course, Pasta Recipes
    Cuisine: Mediterranean, Turkish
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 706kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Large pot
    • Frying pan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients  

    • 12.5 oz spaghetti or other pasta shapes, 350 g
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 lb ground beef 450 g, Note 1
    • ½ - 1 teaspoon hot paprika not smoked, to taste, Note 2
    • 1 medium zucchini about 12.5/ 350 g, Note 3
    • 1 ½ tablespoons chopped dill divided
    • 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt 350 g
    • 2-3 garlic cloves
    • red chili flakes or cayenne pepper, optional, to taste
    • fine sea salt and ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water generously and add pasta. Cook al dente according to the package’s instructions. Drain well.
      12.5 oz/ 350 g pasta
    • Prepare the rest of the recipe while the pasta cooks.
    • Cook ground beef: Heat the oil in the pan. Add the meat and use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
      1 tablespoon olive oil + 1 lb/ 450 g ground beef
    • Zucchini: In the meantime, slice the zucchini. If it’s thin, slice it into rounds; if it’s thicker, cut it into half-moons.
      1 medium zucchini (12.5 oz/ 350 g)
    • Add zucchini and paprika to the ground beef in the pan. Stir well and cook for another 8-10 minutes until the beef is cooked through and the zucchini slices are softer (not too soft or mushy).
      1 teaspoon hot paprika OR ½ teaspoon sweet and ½ teaspoon hot paprika
    • Stir in some of the chopped dill, and add salt and pepper to taste.
      1 tablespoon dill + salt and pepper to taste
    • Garlic yogurt: Grate the garlic cloves and add them to the yogurt. Stir to combine; add the remaining dill and salt and pepper to taste.
      2 garlic cloves + 1 ½ cups/ 350 g Greek yogurt + ½ tablespoon dill + salt and pepper to taste
    • Serve immediately. Divide the pasta between four plates, top with the beef sauce, and then with yogurt. If desired, sprinkle the yogurt with red chili flakes or a little cayenne pepper.

    Notes

    1. Ground meat: Ground lamb is a great alternative.
    2. Paprika: I use unsmoked, hot paprika powder. It’s preferable to use it to taste as some brands can be spicier than others. If 1 teaspoon is too hot for you, use ½ a teaspoon hot paprika and ½ teaspoon sweet paprika powder.
    3. Replace zucchini with other vegetables like peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, peas, or spinach. Only add peas or spinach during the last 3-4 minutes of the cooking process.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1portion from 4 | Calories: 706kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 752mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thefastrecipe or tag #thefastrecipe!

    More Quick Pasta Recipes

    • golden leftover spaghetti bake topped with cheese, a fork with tangled noodles on it.
      Leftover Pasta Bake (with Spaghetti)
    • close up pork belly mac and cheese in a skillet.
      Pork Belly Mac and Cheese
    • close up chicken parmesan garlic pasta in a green bowl.
      Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta (One Pot)
    • black bowl full of cream cheese pasta sprinkled with parsley.
      Easy Cream Cheese Pasta

    Sharing is caring!

    13 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Adina Beck the recipe writer, creator, and photographer behind The Fast Recipe Food Blog.

    Hi, I'm Adina! I am a foodie, creator, writer, and photographer, creating and photographing recipes for my blogs and clients.

    More about me →

    Most Popular

    • quick pork belly bites sprinkled with green onions on a white plate.
      Quick Pork Belly Bites
    • sandwich pinwheels arranged on a plate with basil leaves between them.
      Easy Sandwich Pinwheels
    • red dutch oven with mac and cheese without flour.
      Simple Mac and Cheese without Flour
    • close up of many small cucumber wraps decorated with fresh dill.
      Cucumber Cream Cheese Wraps Recipe
    • small bowl of creamy ricotta mac and cheese on a white cloth with blue flowers.
      Creamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese
    • honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs close up with lemon slices.
      Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Seasonal

    • close up of golden instnat pot chicken legs on parchment paper.
      Instant Pot Chicken Legs
    • what to serve with mac and cheese 30 quick recipe ideas.
      What to Serve with Mac and Cheese: 30+ Quick Dishes
    • carrot and broccoli soup in a brown bowl with roasted broccoli florets in it.
      Carrot and Broccoli Soup
    • two slices of cottage cheese toast with avocado and with sliced tomatoes.
      Cottage Cheese Toast (with Avocado and Tomatoes)
    • cottage cheese with fruit bowl, topped with blueberries, raspberries and plums.
      Cottage Cheese with Fruit
    • bowl of blended cottage cheese served with garlic crackers and tomatoes.
      Blended Cottage Cheese

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Check out our Web Stories

    Contact

    If you have any questions or want to work with us, please email us @ yummy@thefastrecipe.com

    If you would like to use one of our photos in your editorial content, please feel free to do so as long as a link back to thefastrecipe.com is provided. Thank you.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023