The Ultimate Anna Paul Turkish Pasta

Table of Contents

What is the Anna Paul Turkish Pasta?

This dish gained popularity thanks to Anna Paul, who shared a quick and delicious Turkish pasta recipe on TikTok. It’s a simplified, deconstructed take on a traditional Turkish dish called Manti, or a variation of “kıymalı makarna,” which means pasta with minced meat in Turkish. This viral version brings those rich, comforting flavors right to your plate in a super approachable way. It’s an ideal introduction to Turkish cooking for beginners and seasoned home cooks alike.

From Manti to TikTok: The Story Behind This Pasta

Feature	Traditional Manti	Kıymalı Makarna (Pasta with Minced Meat)	Viral ‘Anna Paul’ Pasta
Pasta Type	Tiny dumplings (handmade)	Regular pasta (small shapes)	Any pasta of choice
Meat	Ground lamb or beef filling	Ground beef	Lean ground beef
Sauce	Yogurt with garlic, butter sauce with spices	Tomato-based or spiced butter sauce	Garlic yogurt sauce with a seasoned butter drizzle
Preparation Time	Lengthy (homemade dough)	Moderate	Quick and easy, weeknight-friendly

Why You’ll Love This Foolproof Recipe

• The Ultimate Workflow Guide: I’ll show you how to multitask without stress, so everything comes together smoothly.
• Authentic Flavor, Simplified: We keep the key Turkish spices but make it beginner-friendly with accessible ingredients.
• Perfect Results Guaranteed: With step-by-step photos and tips, you’ll get a delicious, comforting meal every time.
• Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you want to stick to the original or tweak it to your taste, this recipe suits your needs.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with three delicious components: the seasoned beef, the cooling garlic yogurt, and the sizzling butter sauce. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

• 8 ounces pasta of choice
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 medium yellow onions (diced)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika powder
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried mint (or fresh)
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika (not smoked)
• 1 tablespoon mild pepper paste
• 1 teaspoon Turkish chili flakes (or regular chili flakes)
• 1 cup Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)
• 2-3 small garlic cloves (minced, you can use one for a lighter garlic flavor)
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup minced parsley
• 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes (diced)

A Closer Look at the Special Turkish Ingredients

Turkish Red Pepper Paste (Biber Salçası)

This is a thick, vibrant red paste made from fresh or sun-dried red peppers. It adds a rich, slightly sweet pepper flavor and a beautiful color to dishes. In this recipe, it boosts the depth of the butter sauce while keeping things mild and balanced. When buying, look for pure pepper paste without added preservatives or too much salt. A little goes a long way in adding authentic Turkish flavor to your cooking.

Turkish Chili Flakes (Pul Biber)

Pul Biber are crushed dried red chili flakes commonly used in Turkish cuisine. They provide a smoky, slightly fruity heat that’s milder than many other chili flakes. They’re the secret spice that gives this butter sauce a subtle kick without overpowering the other flavors. Look for finely crushed flakes to blend easily, and check the color for freshness bright red flakes mean better flavor.

How to Make Anna Paul Turkish Pasta (Step-by-Step)

1. Cook the Pasta & Prepare the Beef

1. Cook the 8 ounces pasta of choice according to package directions.
2. Sear the 1 pound lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until almost cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. No need to add oil, as the beef will release its own fat.
3. Add the diced onions, salt, pepper, 2 teaspoons sweet paprika powder, 2 tablespoons onion powder, and 1 tablespoon tomato paste.
4. Mix and cook everything together until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce

1. In a bowl, combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, minced garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and a few tablespoons of water to thin the yogurt if needed. Mix well until smooth.

3. Create the Seasoned Butter Drizzle

1. Melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter over low heat in a small saucepan.
2. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon mild pepper paste, 1 teaspoon dried mint, 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, and 1 teaspoon Turkish chili flakes.
3. Stir together and cook for about 1 minute, then remove from heat.

4. Assemble Your Pasta

1. Place cooked pasta on a plate or deep dish.
2. Add a quarter of the garlic yogurt sauce, then top with the seasoned ground beef mixture.
3. Drizzle the spiced butter sauce over the top.
4. Garnish with minced parsley and diced cherry tomatoes. Enjoy your meal!

How to Multitask This Recipe Like a Pro

1. Put the pasta water on to boil. While it heats up, start prepping your ingredients.
2. Begin searing the beef. While the beef cooks, dice the onions and mince the garlic.
3. Mix the garlic yogurt sauce and set aside so the flavors meld.
4. Once the pasta is cooking, make the butter sauce. This keeps everything ready at just the right time to assemble.

Expert Tips & Troubleshooting for Perfect Results

• For the best flavor: Don’t skip searing the beef without oil first; it helps lock in juices and flavor.
• Problem: My yogurt sauce is too thick or thin. Solution: Add a splash of water or even some pasta cooking water to thin it to your preferred consistency.
• Problem: My meat seems dry. Solution: Avoid overcooking the beef during searing to keep it juicy and tender.
• Problem: My butter sauce burned. Solution: Keep the heat low and stir frequently, as butter burns easily at high temperatures.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Variation	Meat Substitute	Pasta Substitute	Notes
Vegan/Vegetarian	Lentils, finely minced walnuts or mushrooms	Any plant-based pasta	Skip meat, increase spices for depth
Gluten-Free	Ground turkey or beef	Gluten-free pasta	Use certified gluten-free pasta
Low-Carb	Ground chicken or turkey	Zucchini noodles	Adjust cooking time for veggies

What to Serve with Your Turkish Pasta

Serve this rich and flavorful pasta alongside a traditional Turkish Shepherd’s Salad (Çoban Salatası). This fresh mix of tomatoes, cucumbers and onions cuts through the richness perfectly. It’s light, refreshing, and easy to prepare to round out your meal beautifully.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use curry powder like in Anna Paul’s original video?

This recipe sticks to an authentic Turkish flavor with paprika and pepper paste, but if you want to replicate the viral version exactly, feel free to add 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder with the other beef seasonings for a slightly different twist.

How do I make this recipe kid-friendly?

Use just one clove of garlic or omit it in the yogurt sauce, skip the chili flakes in the butter sauce, and opt for mild pepper paste. This keeps the flavors approachable for little ones.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store pasta, meat, yogurt sauce, and butter sauce separately in the fridge. To reheat, gently warm the meat and pasta before assembling again with cold yogurt sauce to keep the freshness and texture.

What kind of pasta works best?

Short pasta shapes that hold sauce and meat well, like shells, orecchiette, or fusilli, work best to capture all the flavors in each bite.

Conclusion

This viral Anna Paul Turkish Pasta is everything I love about weeknight cooking: quick, delicious, and packed with flavor. You’re getting authentic Turkish tastes with a simple, foolproof recipe that anyone can master. Did you try it with the traditional spices, or did you add a pinch of curry powder like Anna? Let me know in the comments below! Please leave a star rating if you loved it, and don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest for more recipes