Anna Paul’s Viral Turkish Pasta

Turkish Pasta

Anna Paul’s Viral Turkish Pasta Dish – A Family-Friendly, Healthier Twist

I don’t often write up recipes based on viral foodie sensations but Anna Paul’s viral Turkish pasta is worth it! This is a great recipe for meal prep lunches or dinner. Take it to a potluck and I guarantee you’ll have multiple requests for the recipe.

Turkish Pasta

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen Anna Paul’s viral Turkish pasta making waves. And for good reason—it’s creamy, packed with flavor, and incredibly easy to make.

This dish is a fun, refreshing and savory, with tender whole wheat pasta, moist and flavorful ground meat, and a cool, creamy garlic yogurt topping that brings everything together. And, it's topped off with a yummy paprika butter sauce and garnishes of tomatoes and fresh herbs. 

The best part? It’s totally family-friendly! Kids love the mild, savory flavors, and it’s easy to customize for picky eaters. Plus, I’ve made a few simple swaps to give this recipe a healthy twist—using whole wheat pasta for extra fiber and swapping in lean ground turkey or chicken for a lighter yet still satisfying version. I also love adding cucumber pieces to any yogurt sauce I’m making. It adds the perfect, refreshing crunch and transforms plain Greek yogurt into the best sauce.

Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or something new to add to your rotation, this Turkish pasta will hit the spot. And don’t forget, if you want to follow her recipe directly - you can absolutely use ground beef! Any protein will make for a satisfying dish.

More questions? Check out the FAQs:

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the pasta, meat mixture and yogurt sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat the noodles and meat mixture.

What’s the best pasta to use?
Traditional recipes use regular pasta, but whole wheat pasta adds a boost of fiber and a slightly nutty flavor. You can also try chickpea or lentil pasta for extra protein.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the ground meat for lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based meat alternative.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Anything can add some kick from red pepper flakes, Tabasco sauce or your favorite hot sauce of choice.

How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the yogurt topping and herbs separate and add it fresh when serving.

Drop a note in the comments with your questions!

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Turkish Pasta Recipe

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Turkish Pasta (Anna Paul's Viral Recipe)

Yield: 4

Author: HelloKelC Cooks

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min

Anna Paul’s viral Turkish pasta with a healthier alternative of ground turkey and whole wheat pasta!

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Ingredients

Pasta & Meat Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (I recommend whole wheat rotini or cellentani, but any medium shaped pasta will work)
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin and garlic powder
• 2 tsp sweet paprika
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Garnishes (optional): 1/2 cup sweet cherry tomatoes (halved), chopped fresh parsley, cilantro or mint (or all 3!), chili flakes for a kick

Garlic & Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (unsweetened and plain)
• 3-4 cloves minced garlic, or 1 tsp of tube garlic
• 1/4 cucumber minced (optional but provides a refreshing crunch)
• 1/2 juice of a lemon
• Salt to taste

Paprika Drizzle

• 4 tbsp of unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes (omit if you do not want a spicy version)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and season generally with Kosher salt. Reminder: Your pasta water should taste like the ocean!
2. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Exact timing will depend on the type of pasta you use, remember to check the instructions on the box. Once the pasta is done, drain and set the noodles aside. You may want to drizzle some olive oil over the noodles to help prevent them from sticking to each other.
3. As your pasta is cooking, begin on the ground meat. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 lb of ground turkey (or protein of your choice). You shouldn't need to add any additional oil. Mix and break up any large chunks. Cook until there is no visible pinkness.
4. Add in the onion, spices and stir regularly until the onions are softened and the meat begins to brown with some crispy pieces. When using ground turkey, while normally you wouldn't want to overcook, let this mixture cook longer than you normally would, this allows all the flavors to blend together. Taste test and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
5. Begin making your yogurt sauce. Stir together all of the yogurt sauce ingredients in a bowl - taste test and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Cucumbers are optional but add a refreshing crunch!
6. When you are ready to serve, melt the butter or pour your olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add in the seasonings and stir until everything is evenly blended and slightly bubbling.
7. Assemble! Place your pasta in a bowl, add the meat mixture, a few scoops of the yogurt sauce, the paprika drizzle and your garnishes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

516

Fat

18 g

Sat. Fat

3 g

Carbs

50 g

Fiber

3 g

Net carbs

46 g

Sugar

5 g

Protein

40 g

Sodium

182 mg

Cholesterol

65 mg

Nutritional information provided here is based on estimates and may vary depending on the brand and preparation methods used. Always check food labels for accurate nutritional details. 

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