This viral Turkish pasta became famous on TikTok, but I’ve been making it for years. It’s an easy and delicious pasta dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Give this comforting Turkish pasta with ground beef and yogurt sauce or Manti 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!
Anna Paul made Turkish pasta famous on TikTok, but this recipe has been a staple in my cooking for ages. I posted it a long time ago but decided it was time for a makeover.
Check out more of our favorite pasta recipes: Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta, Tahini Pasta, Creme Fraiche Salmon Pasta, or Mascarpone Pasta.
Ingredients: 12 + oil, salt and pepper
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes and pasta cooking time
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Recipe ingredients
Pasta: Feel free to use any pasta shape you have on hand – I had farfale this time.
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.
Greek yogurt: Full-fat yogurt is best. Yet, you can opt for a lower-fat yogurt – just ensure it's around 3% fat.
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.
See the recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make a Turkish pasta dish?
Cook the pasta al dente. In the meantime, prepare the rest.
Step #1: Cook the ground beef, breaking the lumps with a spatula or wooden spoon until no longer pink.
Step #2: Add tomato paste, stock, and spices. Cook for 5 minutes.
Step #3: Melt the butter and add the paprika powder.
Step #4: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, grated garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
How to serve?
Serve immediately. Divide the pasta between four plates, top with yogurt sauce, and then add the beef. Drizzle with paprika butter and top with halved cherry tomatoes. If desired, sprinkle the Turkish pasta dish with red pepper flakes or a little cayenne pepper.
Recipe FAQs
This dish is often referred to as "Kiymali Makarna," which translates to "Pasta with Ground Beef" in Turkish. Try these Turkish Lamb Chops, too.
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. Check out these Lamb Wraps with Tzatziki.
You can prepare the beef and 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.
What to serve with it?
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📖 Recipe
Turkish Pasta Dish
Equipment
- Large pot
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta farfalle or other pasta shapes
Beef sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 lb ground beef Note 1
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup beef stock or vegetable or chicken stock
- ¼ teaspoon hot paprika not smoked, to taste, Note 2
- 1 tablespoon dill finely chopped
- fine sea salt and ground black pepper
- 12 cherry tomatoes to serve
- 1 tablespoons parsley chopped, to serve
Garlic sauce:
- 1 ¼ cups Greek yogurt
- 2-3 garlic cloves grated
- ½ teaspoon dried mint
- red chili flakes or cayenne pepper, optional, to taste
- fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Butter sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika powder
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.1 lb pasta
Beef sauce:
- Prepare the rest of the recipe while the pasta cooks.
- Cook ground beef: Heat the oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion and ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion + 1 lb ground beef
- Simmer sauce: Add the tomato paste and stir briefly to combine it with the beef. Pour in the stock, add hot paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes, partially covered, until the beef is fully cooked and the liquid has reduced. Stir in the dill. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.2 tablespoons tomato paste + ½ cup beef stock + ¼ teaspoon hot paprika + fine sea salt and ground black pepper + 1 tablespoon dill + fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Yogurt sauce:
- Mix yogurt, grated garlic, and mint in a small bowl. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper. Add red chili flakes to taste if desired1 ¼ cups Greek yogurt + 2-3 garlic cloves + ½ teaspoon dried mint + red chili flakes + fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Butter sauce:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the sweet paprika.2 tablespoons butter + 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika powder
Serve:
- Serve immediately. Divide the pasta between four plates, and top with yogurt, beef sauce, halved cherry tomatoes, and parsley. Drizzle with paprika butter. If desired, sprinkle the yogurt with red chili flakes or a little cayenne pepper.12 cherry tomatoes + 1 tablespoons parsley
Notes
- Ground meat: Ground lamb is a great alternative.
- 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.
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