Viral Anna Pauls Turkish Pasta
This delightful twist on a classic comfort food combines ground beef, creamy Greek yogurt, and satisfying pasta for a flavorful and satisfying meal. It's quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights, and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 90% lean or higher
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree optional
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces pasta penne, rotini, farfalle, or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned throughout, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the pan with the cooked ground beef and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Build the Sauce: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato puree (if using), paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir to combine and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Incorporate the Yogurt: Stir in the full-fat Greek yogurt until well combined. If your yogurt is too tart, add a touch of honey or sugar to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Drain the pasta, reserving a little bit of the starchy pasta water (about 1/4 cup).
- Assemble and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Plate the pasta and enjoy immediately!
Notes
Tips
- For a richer flavor, use a higher fat content ground beef (80/20).
- Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- This recipe can be easily doubled to feed a larger crowd.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water if necessary to thin out the sauce.