Kıymalı Makarna - Turkish Pasta with Ground Beef
Kıymalı Makarna is a comforting and easy-to-make Turkish pasta dish with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and simple spices.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 702kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 400 g ground beef
- ½ tablespoon good quality olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 large tomato (grated or finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅓ cup water
- 400 g pasta
For Topping
- ½ tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon flaked chilli (pul biber)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt or plain natural yogurt
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
Making the Ground Beef Sauce
- Place a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Add olive oil and chopped onions, then sauté for a few minutes until the onions turn translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add in the tomato paste and mix well before adding grated tomatoes, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika
- Pour in ⅓ cup of water and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cooking the Pasta
- Start cooking the pasta while preparing the meat sauce.
- Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot
- Add salt, then add the pasta.
- Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set it aside until the sauce is ready.
Preparing the Toppings and Serving
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the paprika and chili. Cook on low heat for a few minutes, set it aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix together yogurt, garlic paste, and a pinch of salt. Set it aside.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the beef sauce.
- Mix well so the pasta is fully coated. Let everything cook together for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot topped with a dollop of garlic yogurt and a drizzle of chili butter.
Notes
- Choose the Right Pasta – Short pasta like farfalle, penne or fusilli holds the sauce well, but spaghetti works too.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta – Keep it al dente so it holds up in the sauce.
- Use Fresh Tomatoes When Possible – Grated fresh tomatoes, especially when in season, add a brighter, more authentic taste.
- Make it Spicier – A bit of extra red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper can give the dish a kick.
Nutrition
Calories: 702kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 749mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 563IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 4mg