The Viral Turkish Pasta Recipe That Broke the Internet: Quick Weeknight Pasta Dinner Worth The Hype

Ingredients

• 8 oz Farfalle Pasta (short pasta; can substitute fusilli, penne, or rotini)
• 1 lb Ground Beef (93% lean; can use leaner beef or add a drizzle of olive oil)
• 1 medium Onion (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Red Pepper Paste (Turkish red pepper paste (e.g., Tokash); tomato paste with a pinch of paprika works as a substitute)
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 3 tsp Sweet Paprika (2 tsp for meat, 1 tsp for butter sauce)
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt (Half tsp for meat, half tsp for butter sauce)
• 0.25 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 1 cup Greek Yogurt (Thick, strained; plain yogurt can be used in a pinch)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (Can use salted butter if you omit extra salt)
• 0.25 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Adjust for heat; Ura or Aleppo pepper preferred)
• 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish (optional))
• 1/4 cup Chopped Tomatoes (for color and freshness (optional))

Instructions

1. Boil Pasta

   Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of kosher salt (like ocean water), and bring to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, about 9‑10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: Boiling

2. Sauté Ground Beef

   While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the ground beef directly (no oil needed) and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook 4‑5 minutes, stirring frequently, until no pink remains.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Medium‑high

3. Add Onion and Spices

   To the partially cooked beef, add the chopped onion, red pepper paste, onion powder, cumin, sweet paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook 5‑6 minutes, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time to keep the mixture moist.

   Time: PT6M

   Temperature: Medium

4. Prepare Garlic Yogurt Sauce

   In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and ½ tsp kosher salt. Whisk until smooth and set aside.

   Time: PT3M

5. Make Chili Butter Drizzle

   In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in 1 tsp sweet paprika, red pepper flakes, and ½ tsp kosher salt. Cook 1‑2 minutes until fragrant and slightly bubbling.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: Medium

6. Assemble the Dish

   Divide the cooked pasta among serving bowls. Top each with a generous spoonful of the yogurt sauce, then add about 2‑3 ½ cups of the spiced beef mixture. Drizzle with the chili butter, and garnish with chopped parsley, fresh tomatoes, and, if available, a pinch of dried mint and sumac.

   Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

530

Protein

30 g

Carbohydrates

60 g

Fat

28 g

Fiber

3 g