Description
A comforting Turkish-inspired pasta dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy garlic yogurt, and a fragrant spiced butter sauce served over tender pasta. This deconstructed manti delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in a simple, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces short pasta (shells, bow ties, penne, or rigatoni)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika (divided)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon mild pepper paste
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cup Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
- 2 to 3 small garlic cloves, minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water (to thin yogurt, if needed)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef for 2–3 minutes, breaking apart as it browns.
- Add diced onions, salt, and black pepper. Cook 3 minutes until onions soften.
- Stir in onion powder, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, and tomato paste. Cook 2–3 minutes until fully combined. Remove from heat.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add olive oil, pepper paste, remaining 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, dried mint, and chili flakes. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water gradually until smooth and pourable.
- To assemble, place pasta in serving bowls. Spoon garlic yogurt over pasta, top with seasoned beef, and drizzle with warm butter sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and diced cherry tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for a lighter option.
- Add 1 teaspoon ground cumin for extra warmth.
- Whole wheat or high-protein pasta can be used.
- Store components separately in refrigerator up to 4 days.
- Freezing assembled dish is not recommended due to yogurt sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
