If you haven’t tried this garlic yogurt pasta yet, you are seriously missing out! It’s the perfect blend of savory, tangy, and dangerously addictive. While traditional Manti can be a labor of love, this version delivers those iconic Turkish flavors in a much more approachable way.
The secret to this dish is the contrast between the cool, garlicky yogurt and the sizzling, spiced chili butter that you drizzle over the top right before serving. It’s comforting, vibrant, and guaranteed to become a new staple in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
455g Lumache pasta shells
565g Minced beef
235ml Sweet onion, grated
4 cloves Garlic, minced (divided)
1 tsp Ground cumin
2 tsp Sweet paprika
1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes
1.5 tsp Salt (divided)
0.5 tsp Black pepper
60ml Tomato paste
235ml Reserved pasta water
475ml Full-fat plain yogurt
55g Butter
Garnish: 475ml fresh cherry tomatoes (halved or quartered) and fresh parsley (chopped)
Method
1. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 235ml of pasta water, then drain.
2. Brown Beef: In a large, cold skillet over medium-high heat, add the minced beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fat has rendered.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add grated onion, and cook for 4-5 minutes until very soft. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Spice It Up: Add cumin, sweet paprika, Aleppo pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for 30 seconds.
5. Simmer Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1-2 minutes, then pour in the reserved pasta water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes.
6. Yogurt Sauce: While the meat simmers, combine the yogurt, remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt in a bowl.
7. Chili Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the paprika and Aleppo pepper; sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
8. Assemble: Divide pasta into bowls. Top with a dollop of garlic yogurt, a scoop of meat sauce, cherry tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Drizzle with the sizzling spiced butter and serve immediately.
