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30-Minute Arabic Pasta with Yogurt Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 489 reviews

A flavorful and hearty 30-minute Arabic-inspired pasta dish featuring tender ground beef spiced with traditional Middle Eastern seasonings, served with a creamy yogurt and tahini sauce, and garnished with toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal that brings a taste of the Levant to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 400 g pasta (mafilda corta recommended)
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Meat Mixture

  • 700 g extra lean ground beef
  • 2 cups chopped white onions (about 2 medium onions)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons allspice (or 7 spice blend)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 5 tablespoons tomato sauce

Yogurt Sauce

  • 2.5 cups plain full fat yogurt (750 g)
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1 large garlic clove, crushed
  • 4 teaspoons dried mint (adjust to preference)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • A squeeze of lemon juice

Garnish

  • Toasted pine nuts
  • Fresh herbs (such as parsley or mint)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Sauté Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent.
  3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the extra lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Break the beef into small pieces with a spatula and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and most of the moisture has evaporated.
  4. Add Spices and Sauce: Stir in the allspice, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly and cook for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Prepare Yogurt Sauce: In a bowl, combine the full-fat plain yogurt, tahini, crushed garlic, dried mint, salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mix well using a fork until smooth and well integrated. Do not use a blender to maintain texture.
  6. Toast Pine Nuts: In a small pan, heat half a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add pine nuts and toast them, stirring frequently, until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat.
  7. Assemble and Serve: To serve, place a layer of cooked pasta on a plate, top with the spiced ground beef mixture, then spoon over the yogurt sauce. Garnish generously with toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs of your choice. Enjoy warm!

Notes

  • Use full-fat yogurt for a richer and creamier sauce; Greek yogurt can be substituted but adjust consistency if needed.
  • Adjust dried mint quantity according to your taste preference for a fresher or more intense herbal note.
  • To keep pine nuts from burning, toast on medium heat and stir continuously.
  • If mafalda corta pasta is unavailable, substitute with other short pasta shapes like fusilli or penne.
  • This dish can be served warm or at room temperature and pairs well with a fresh green salad or pickled vegetables.

Keywords: Arabic pasta, yogurt sauce, ground beef, Middle Eastern pasta, tahini sauce, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/30-minute-arabic-pasta-with-yogurt-sauce-recipe/