Tiktok-Famous Turkish Beef Pasta
It’s been a long time since I was tempted by an internet-famous recipe, but this one was throwing all the green flags. I started seeing this Turkish beef pasta all over Tiktok and Insta a while back, and was immediately smitten. I love an easy weeknight meal and love Turkish cuisine, so there’s no question this is going in my rotation!
This viral version is a much simpler adaptation of manti, a traditional dish you’ll find across Central Asia, Turkey, and Armenia, consisting of spiced lamb or beef that’s folded into a tiny dumpling or stuffed pasta, boiled, and served with yogurt, garlic, and spiced melted butter.
I actually had it in the Turkish Airlines business class lounge at Istanbul airport and can confirm it’s delish. But it’s very labor-intensive. This brings the same flavors and vibes, but in a fraction of the time.
This deconstructed pasta version feels quite fancy when you’re eating it, but I realized it’s basically just like a fancy spiced bolognese…
You’ll see that the recipe calls for “sweet paprika” in a couple places. In the U.S. this is just regular paprika unless you have access to a super fancy spice store. In some parts of the world there are many different varieties but for us, the mild, sweet “regular” paprika is perfect.
How to make the Tiktok-viral Turkish beef pasta
I’ve got really detailed instructions below, but will provide the step-by-step highlights here. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season liberally with salt, and cook the pasta to al dente. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water just in case, drain the rest, and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, then add the chopped onion, red pepper or tomato paste, and the spices. Cook (stirring regularly) for 5-6 minutes, until the onions are softened and the meat is fully cooked.
Stir together the pasta and ground beef mixture.
While the pasta and meat are cooking, whisk together the Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt for the yogurt sauce. Taste it to make sure the balance of flavors is right for you. Set aside.
Also make the paprika butter sauce. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the sweet paprika, red pepper flakes (to taste, I go mild), and salt. Stir and cook until the butter is fully melted and bubbly, then remove from heat.
Dish up the pasta, drizzle with the yogurt sauce, then drizzle a little bit of the paprika butter sauce on top. Voila!
Adapted slightly from Foolproof Living
Other easy beef-based weeknight meals you’ll love:
- Pineapple & Honey Beef with Coconut Rice
- Healthy Cheeseburger Bowls with Smashed Potatoes
- Viral Tiktok Hot Honey Beef Bowl
- Beef & Zucchini Pasta with White Wine, Oregano, & Creamy Goat Cheese
- Lebanese Hushwee (Fragrant, Spiced Ground Beef with Toasted Pine Nuts)
- Baked Whole Wheat Penne with Beef and Summer Veggies
Pin for later!
Viral Tiktok Turkish Beef Pasta
Ingredients
- For the pasta
- 12 ounces of short pasta campanelle works well
- Table salt for the water
- For the meat sauce
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 medium size onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon of red pepper paste or tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons of sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- For the garlic yogurt sauce
- 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
- For the paprika butter sauce
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season the pasta water generously with salt ("like the ocean") and add the pasta and cook until it is al dente (depending on the type of pasta, that's typically 6-8 minutes). Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make the meat sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, and cook until no longer pink (breaking it up as you go).
- Add the chopped onion, red pepper paste (or tomato paste), onion powder, ground cumin, 2 teaspoons of sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Cook, stirring regularly, until the onions are softened and the meat is fully cooked (5-6 minutes). If your meat starts to get dry, you can use some of the reserved pasta water to keep it meat moist. Then remove from heat.
- Make the yogurt sauce: While the pasta and meat are cooking, make the yogurt sauce by whisking together 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt in a bowl. Taste it to make sure the balance of flavors is right for you. Set aside.
- Make the paprika butter sauce: Right before serving, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, 1/4 teaspoon (or more, to taste) of red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Stir and cook until the butter is fully melted and bubbly, then remove from heat.
- Assemble and serve: In a large bowl, stir together the pasta and meat sauce. Serve in individual bowls and drizzle with the yogurt sauce a little bit of the paprika butter sauce.
