Description
Arabic Pasta with Easy Yogurt Sauce is a rich and comforting dish that combines tender pasta, spiced ground beef, and a creamy, tangy yogurt sauce. Garnished with toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs, it’s a Middle Eastern-inspired meal that’s as easy to make as it is impressive to serve.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 400 g pasta (Mafalda corta or any short pasta)
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Meat Mixture
- 700 g extra lean ground beef
- 2 cups chopped white onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp allspice or 7 spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 5 tbsp tomato sauce
For the Yogurt Sauce
- 2.5 cups (750 g) plain full-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 4 tsp dried mint
- 1/2 tsp salt
- A squeeze of lemon juice
For the Garnish
- Toasted pine nuts, to taste
- Fresh herbs (parsley or mint), to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente, following the package instructions.
- Drain, drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned.
- Stir in allspice, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and tomato sauce. Mix well and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Make the Yogurt Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, tahini, crushed garlic, dried mint, salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Mix thoroughly with a fork until smooth. Avoid using a blender to preserve the light texture.
- Toast the Pine Nuts
- Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a small pan over medium heat.
- Add pine nuts and toast until golden brown, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Assemble the Dish
- In a large serving dish, layer the cooked pasta as the base.
- Spoon the spiced meat mixture evenly over the pasta.
- Pour the yogurt sauce over the meat and pasta, spreading gently with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle toasted pine nuts and garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook until al dente for the best texture.
- Strain the Yogurt: If the yogurt is watery, strain it using a cheesecloth for a thicker consistency.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground beef with lentils or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern