Anna Paul’s Turkish pasta recipe has taken TikTok and social media by storm, offering a quick, flavorful, and comforting dish that is inspired by traditional Turkish manti but simplified for easy home cooking. This dish combines al dente pasta, savory spiced ground beef, creamy garlic yogurt sauce, and a rich paprika butter drizzle, creating a bold and irresistible flavor profile.
Turkish cuisine is known for its rich spices, creamy textures, and hearty meals. The original manti, a traditional Turkish dumpling, involves a labor-intensive process of hand-rolling, stuffing, and cooking small dumplings. However, Anna Paul’s deconstructed manti simplifies this process using store-bought pasta instead of dumplings, making it more accessible without losing its authentic taste. If you’re interested in the history of manti and its cultural significance in Turkish cuisine, check out this insightful article on traditional Turkish pasta.
For those looking for more Turkish-inspired pasta recipes, including homemade erişte (egg noodles) and su böreği (layered pastry pasta), visit this guide to traditional Turkish pasta dishes.
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Why You’ll Love This Turkish Pasta Recipe
✔️ Quick and easy to make – No need to make dumplings from scratch.
✔️ Packed with bold flavors – The mix of garlic, yogurt, paprika, and spiced beef creates an authentic Turkish taste.
✔️ A viral sensation – Inspired by Anna Paul’s social media trend, making it a fun dish to recreate.
✔️ Perfect for weeknight dinners – A hearty and satisfying meal ready in under 30 minutes.
What is Deconstructed Turkish Manti?
Traditional Turkish manti consists of tiny handmade dumplings stuffed with seasoned meat, boiled, and served with yogurt and a buttery red pepper sauce. While delicious and authentic, manti can take hours to prepare.
This deconstructed version, popularized by Anna Paul, keeps the same core flavors but swaps dumplings for pasta, making it a simple, weeknight-friendly meal. Instead of rolling out dough and shaping dumplings, we use short pasta like shells, orecchiette, or bowtie pasta to capture the rich sauces.
Ingredients for Turkish Pasta Recipe
For the Pasta:
✔️ 250g short pasta (shells, orecchiette, or penne)
✔️ 1 tbsp olive oil
✔️ ½ tsp salt
For the Spiced Ground Beef:
✔️ 200g ground beef or lamb
✔️ 1 small onion, finely chopped
✔️ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✔️ ½ tsp paprika
✔️ ½ tsp black pepper
✔️ ½ tsp cumin
✔️ 1 tbsp butter
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
✔️ 1 cup Greek yogurt
✔️ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✔️ ½ tsp salt
✔️ 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Butter Paprika Sauce:
✔️ 2 tbsp butter
✔️ 1 tsp paprika or red pepper flakes
For Garnishing:
✔️ Fresh parsley, chopped
✔️ Cherry tomatoes, diced
✔️ A sprinkle of sumac (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Turkish Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
1️⃣ Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2️⃣ Add pasta and cook until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Spiced Ground Beef
1️⃣ Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until golden.
3️⃣ Add ground beef, then season with paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt.
4️⃣ Cook until the beef is browned and fragrant.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce
1️⃣ In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
2️⃣ Stir until smooth and set aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Butter Paprika Sauce
1️⃣ Melt butter in a small pan over low heat.
2️⃣ Add paprika or red pepper flakes, stirring until fragrant.
Step 5: Assemble the Dish
1️⃣ Plate the cooked pasta as the base.
2️⃣ Spoon the garlic yogurt sauce over the pasta.
3️⃣ Top with the spiced beef mixture.
4️⃣ Drizzle the butter paprika sauce on top.
5️⃣ Garnish with fresh parsley, cherry tomatoes, and sumac for extra flavor.
🍽️ Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious Turkish-inspired dish!
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
✔️ Pair with a fresh salad like Çoban Salatası (Shepherd’s Salad) for a refreshing contrast.
✔️ Serve with Turkish bread such as pide or lavash to scoop up the creamy sauce.
✔️ Drink with Ayran, a traditional Turkish yogurt-based beverage that complements the dish.
For more serving ideas, check out this Turkish food pairing guide.
FAQs About Turkish Pasta Recipe by Anna Paul
1. What makes this pasta Turkish?
✔️ The use of garlic yogurt, spiced ground beef, and paprika butter is inspired by traditional Turkish manti.
2. Can I use store-bought pasta for this recipe?
✔️ Yes! Short pasta shapes like penne, shells, or bowties work best.
3. How can I store leftovers?
✔️ Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on low heat and assemble before serving.
4. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
✔️ Absolutely! Swap ground beef for mushrooms or lentils for a plant-based alternative.
Conclusion
Anna Paul’s Turkish pasta recipe is a quick, delicious, and trendy adaptation of traditional Turkish manti, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. It captures the rich, bold flavors of Turkish cuisine while remaining simple and accessible.
✔️ Easy to make with simple ingredients
✔️ Packed with authentic Turkish flavors
✔️ Inspired by a viral social media trend
📌 Try this recipe today and experience the best of Turkish comfort food! 🇹🇷🍝