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30-Minute Arabic Pasta with Yogurt Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 115 reviews

This 30-Minute Arabic Pasta with Yogurt Sauce combines tender pasta layered with a spiced ground beef mixture and a creamy, tangy yogurt-tahini sauce. Enhanced with warm spices like allspice and cinnamon, toasted pine nuts, and fresh herbs, this dish offers a delightful fusion of Middle Eastern flavors and comforting pasta perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 400 g pasta (mafaldine corta or similar)
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Ground Beef 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

Toppings

  • Toasted pine nuts (toasted with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil)
  • Fresh herbs (such as parsley or mint), for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta well, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
  2. Cook Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Brown the Ground Beef: Add the extra lean ground beef to the pan with the onions. Break the meat into small pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and most moisture has evaporated.
  4. Add Spices and Tomato Sauce: Stir in the allspice, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly and taste to adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Prepare the Yogurt Sauce: In a bowl, combine the plain full-fat yogurt, tahini, crushed garlic, dried mint, salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mix well using a fork until smooth. Avoid using a blender to preserve texture.
  6. Toast Pine Nuts: In a small pan, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add pine nuts and toast until lightly golden, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove and set aside.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Layer the cooked pasta on a serving plate, top with the spiced ground beef mixture, then drizzle evenly with the yogurt sauce. Finish by sprinkling toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use mafalda corta or similar short pasta shapes for best texture.
  • Adjust the amount of dried mint in the yogurt sauce to your taste preference.
  • Extra virgin olive oil works best for flavor enhancement.
  • Fresh herbs like parsley or mint can be substituted or combined for garnish.
  • Ensure yogurt is at room temperature to make mixing easier.
  • For a lighter version, you may use low-fat yogurt, but full-fat provides better creaminess.

Keywords: Arabic pasta recipe, yogurt sauce pasta, ground beef pasta, Middle Eastern pasta dish, quick Arabic meals, spiced ground beef, tahini yogurt sauce

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