This Turkish Pasta comes together in about 30 minutes and is a quick and easy one-pot meal that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Seriously, it’s that flexible and oh, so comforting.
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s dive into the star players for our Turkish Pasta! I’ll share my thoughts on why I chose each ingredient and some handy substitutions.
- 12 oz (340 g) Pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, Finely Chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 1 lb (450 g) Ground Beef or Lamb
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Sweet Paprika
- Fresh Parsley, Chopped (for garnish)
- Plain Yogurt (optional, for serving)
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Turkish Pasta
Cook the Pasta : Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent clumping! When it’s done, drain and set aside, don’t forget to save a cup of pasta water for later!
Sauté the Aromatics : Now, in a large skillet over medium heat, pour in the olive oil. Add your finely chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it’s translucent. Oh, the smell is starting to waft through your kitchen! Add the minced garlic and stir for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the Meat : Time to add the ground beef or lamb! Toss it into the skillet and break it apart as it cooks. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally and scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. They hold so much flavor!
Season It Up : Sprinkle in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the meat and let it cook for another 3-5 minutes until everything is combined and aromatic. Seriously, your kitchen is going to smell heavenly at this point!
Prepare the Paprika Butter : While the meat is cooking, melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the sweet paprika and cook for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Set aside for that extra richness!
Combine It All Together : Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the spiced meat mixture. Add a splash of reserved pasta water (start with about ¼ cup) to help the sauce stick to the pasta. Drizzle the paprika butter over the top and gently mix everything together until every bite is coated in goodness!
Serve It Up : Top with chopped parsley and a spoonful of plain yogurt if desired. Serve warm, and watch it disappear as your family digs in!
Personal Connection
This Turkish Pasta is, without a doubt, my go-to recipe for busy weeknights. I’m a real sucker for comfort food that doesn’t take hours to make! It’s one of those dishes that seems to have the whole family asking for seconds, and let’s be honest. I love that! The best part? You can use whatever you’ve got on hand, making it endlessly customizable.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Turkish Pita, my Turkish Chicken with Creamy White Sauce, or my Turkish Lamb Stew! Each is a family favorite, just like this one!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Turkish Pasta comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. No one wants to spend all evening in the kitchen, right?
One Pot
Minimal cleanup required! Seriously, the less time scrubbing pots and pans, the better. You cook everything in one skillet, which means fewer dishes, yay!
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and is the ultimate comfort food. The combination of spices, hearty meat, and rich butter make it so satisfying, a real hug in a bowl!
Customizable
You can use whatever ingredients you have! Don’t feel stuck to the recipe, experiment with veggies, sauces, or even different cheeses. It’s all about making it work for your family.
Budget-Friendly
Using everyday ingredients, this recipe is not only delicious but also easy on the wallet! Ground meat, pasta, and pantry spices, what could be easier?
Serving & Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
This Turkish Pasta pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. You could even serve some warm, crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce!
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just make sure it has cooled down before sealing it up!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop the pasta in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or warm it up in a skillet over low heat. You may want to add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up a bit as it heats.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze Turkish Pasta for up to 3 months. Just let it cool before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as suggested.
Final Thoughts
The next time you’re looking for a easy, home-cooked dinner that will be a hit with the entire family, whip up this Turkish Pasta. Trust me, it’s going to become one of your family’s favorites, just like it has mine!
Now, get cooking and let the flavors take your taste buds on a delicious journey! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Turkish Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Boil a large pot of salted water, add the pasta, and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in the olive oil and add the chopped onion, sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and stir for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef or lamb, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Sprinkle in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add sweet paprika and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the meat mixture. Add reserved pasta water (starting with ¼ cup) and drizzle with paprika butter. Mix gently.
- Top with chopped parsley and a dollop of plain yogurt if desired. Serve warm.