Viral Turkish Pasta
Viral Turkish Pasta!! is a medium Turkish recipe that serves 4. 580 calories per serving. Recipe by Mayra Wendolyne on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 1 hr 5 min
Cost: $12.52 total, $3.13 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 large Yellow Onion (sliced for grilling and sautéing)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced; 2 for sauté, 2 for yogurt sauce)
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80% lean)
- 1 tsp Paprika (sweet paprika)
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste (concentrated)
- 1 cup Bone Broth (low‑sodium)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (for grilling and sautéing)
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt (full‑fat, plain)
- 2 tbsp Butter (unsalted)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 0.5 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice (optional for yogurt sauce)
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Slice the onions into 1/4‑inch rings and mince all garlic cloves. Separate half of the sliced onions for grilling and keep the rest for sautéing.
Time: PT10M
Grill Onions
Heat the grill pan over medium‑high heat, brush with 1 tbsp olive oil, and grill the sliced onions 5‑7 minutes per side until soft and lightly charred.
Time: PT12M
Temperature: Medium-high
Sauté Onions & Garlic
In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining sliced onions and 2 minced garlic cloves; sauté 5 minutes until translucent.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Medium
Brown Ground Beef
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully browned.
Time: PT8M
Temperature: Medium-high
Season the Meat
Sprinkle paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper over the browned beef. Stir for 1 minute to toast the spices.
Time: PT1M
Add Tomato Paste
Stir in the tomato paste and cook 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: Medium
Simmer with Bone Broth
Pour in the bone broth, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: Low simmer
Prepare Garlic Yogurt Sauce
In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, the remaining 2 minced garlic cloves, lemon juice (if using), and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Make Paprika Butter
Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat, stir in ½ tsp paprika, and cook 2 minutes until fragrant. Do not let the butter brown.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: Low
Assemble the Dish
On each serving plate, spread a layer of grilled onions as the base. Spoon the meat sauce over the onions, drizzle garlic yogurt sauce, then drizzle paprika butter. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 580
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbohydrates
- 19g
- Fat
- 33g
- Fiber
- 2g
Dietary info: Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto-friendly, High Protein
Allergens: Dairy, Beef
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Yellow Onion: Red onion, Sweet onion
- Instead of Ground Beef: ground turkey, ground lamb
- Instead of Tomato Paste: crushed tomatoes
- Instead of Bone Broth: beef broth, water with bouillon
- Instead of Olive Oil: avocado oil
- Instead of Greek Yogurt: regular yogurt, sour cream
- Instead of Butter: ghee
- Instead of Cherry Tomatoes: regular tomatoes diced
- Instead of Feta Cheese: crumbled goat cheese
- Instead of Fresh Parsley: cilantro
Equipment Needed
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Grill Pan
- Large Skillet
- Small Bowl
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cup
- Spoon
- Spatula
- Serving Plate
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Grill onions to a soft, lightly charred texture without burning.
- Simmer the meat sauce until it thickens and coats the onions.
- Assemble the dish while hot to maintain the creamy texture of the yogurt sauce.
Chef Tips from the Video
- For extra depth, add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce after browning the beef.
- Use a mixture of sweet and smoked paprika in the butter for a richer flavor profile.
- Finish the dish with a drizzle of extra‑virgin olive oil just before serving for added shine.
Troubleshooting
Sauce is too watery.
Simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce, or stir in an extra teaspoon of tomato paste.
Yogurt sauce curdles when added to hot meat sauce.
Allow the meat sauce to cool slightly before drizzling, or temper the yogurt by whisking in a spoonful of warm sauce first.
Grilled onions burn before becoming soft.
Lower the grill pan heat to medium, brush with a little more oil, and turn frequently.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store meat sauce and grilled onions in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep garlic yogurt sauce in a sealed container for 2 days.
Freezer: Meat sauce freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw and reheat gently. Do not freeze yogurt sauce.
Room temperature: Do not leave the assembled dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the garlic yogurt sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate.
- Meat sauce can be made a day ahead; reheat gently over low heat.
- Grilled onions keep well in the fridge for 24 hours; reheat briefly before assembling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of low carb Turkish pasta in Turkish cuisine?
Traditional Turkish pasta, known as "mantı" or "çorbalı makarna," is a comfort food often served with yogurt and butter. The low‑carb version swaps wheat noodles for grilled onions, reflecting modern health trends while keeping the classic flavors of meat, tomato, and yogurt.
What are the traditional regional variations of Turkish pasta in Turkish cuisine?
In Turkey, pasta dishes vary by region: Central Anatolia favors thick egg noodles with tomato‑based sauces, the Black Sea region uses corn‑flour noodles, and the Mediterranean coast adds fresh herbs and lemon. This low‑carb adaptation mirrors the Mediterranean emphasis on vegetables and dairy.
How is authentic Turkish pasta traditionally served in Turkey?
Authentic Turkish pasta is typically plated hot, topped with a dollop of garlic‑yogurt sauce, a drizzle of melted butter infused with paprika, and finished with fresh herbs like parsley or mint. It is often accompanied by a side of pickled vegetables.
What occasions or celebrations is Turkish pasta traditionally associated with in Turkish culture?
Turkish pasta is a common family meal for everyday lunches and dinners, but it also appears at gatherings such as birthdays, religious holidays like Ramadan evenings, and festive brunches where hearty, comforting dishes are prized.
How does low carb Turkish pasta fit into the broader Turkish cuisine tradition?
The dish embodies Turkish cuisine’s love for layered flavors—spiced meat, tangy yogurt, and buttery paprika—while adapting the carbohydrate component to fit modern dietary preferences, showing the cuisine’s flexibility and emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Turkish pasta versus acceptable substitutes?
Traditional ingredients include wheat pasta, ground lamb or beef, tomato paste, plain yogurt, butter, paprika, and fresh herbs. Acceptable substitutes for a low‑carb version are grilled onions for pasta, bone broth for water, and ground turkey if a leaner meat is desired.
What other Turkish dishes pair well with low carb Turkish pasta?
Pair this dish with a simple Turkish shepherd’s salad (çoban salata), roasted eggplant with garlic, or a side of stuffed grape leaves (dolma) for a balanced, traditional‑style meal.
What makes low carb Turkish pasta special or unique in Turkish cuisine?
Its uniqueness lies in replacing the carb‑heavy noodle base with caramelized grilled onions, which adds a sweet‑smoky depth while keeping the dish low in carbs, yet preserving the classic yogurt‑butter‑paprika topping that defines Turkish pasta.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making low carb Turkish pasta?
Common mistakes include over‑grilling the onions until they become mushy, letting the meat sauce boil too vigorously which can make it watery, and adding the yogurt sauce to piping‑hot sauce which causes curdling. Follow the timing and temperature cues in the recipe to avoid these issues.
Why does this low carb Turkish pasta recipe use grilled onions instead of traditional wheat pasta?
Grilled onions provide a low‑carb, fiber‑rich base that mimics the texture of noodles while adding natural sweetness and a subtle char. This substitution aligns with keto and low‑carb diets without sacrificing the dish’s authentic flavor profile.
What does the YouTube channel Mayra Wendolyne specialize in?
The YouTube channel Mayra Wendolyne specializes in easy‑to‑follow, health‑focused home cooking videos that blend traditional Latin and Mediterranean flavors with modern low‑carb and keto adaptations.
How does the YouTube channel Mayra Wendolyne's approach to Turkish cooking differ from other Turkish cooking channels?
Mayra Wendolyne emphasizes low‑carb and quick‑prep techniques, often swapping high‑carb staples for vegetable‑based alternatives, whereas many traditional Turkish cooking channels focus on classic, ingredient‑rich preparations without dietary modifications.
Last updated: September 3, 2026
