Turkish Noodles with Garlic Yogurt

You will love the distinct flavor of the Mediterranean in this old Turkish recipe (Yoğurt Makarna) of noodles layered with minced lamb, garlic, and mint yogurt sauce, and drizzled with hot, spiced butter.

Best of all, it's done in 30 minutes!

Somewhere between hating mint in my cocktails (mojito - thanks, but no thanks) and tolerating it in my tea, I fell in love with it when combined with yogurt.

The whole idea took some getting used to, but once I tried it, I never looked back.

The garlic and mint sauce is essential for this noodle recipe. Not only it binds the flavors together but provides silkiness to the otherwise dry noodle and meat dish.

📃 Why it Works

• It's insanely delicious.
• The dish is packed with Mediterranean flavors.
• Easy to make.
• The whole meal is done in 30 minutes or less.
• It takes a handful of basic ingredients.
• Kids and adults approve of it.

Welcome to the 10th Noodles Without Borders, where my friend Bobbi of Healthy World Cuisine and I bring you each a noodle recipe from around the world every first Tuesday of the month.

We are excited to share fantastic pasta recipes that aren't exclusively Italian, although Italian pasta recipes are arguably the best.

Tag your pasta recipe on Instagram with #NoodlesWithoutBorders for a chance to be featured. We'd love to see and share your favorites!

🛒 Ingredients and Notes

• Meat - For authentic flavor, we use ground lamb. However, as lamb meat is pricey, ground beef is a great substitute.
• Noodles - Wide egg noodles work the best. You can use what you already have on hand, of course.
• Yogurt - We love Greek-style yogurt and can't recommend it enough!
• Mint - Fresh mint really brightens this Turkish noodle dish. Please don't skimp on it; I promise you won't regret it.

🔪 Instructions

1. First, make the yogurt sauce - Mix the yogurt with garlic, mint, salt, and pepper.
2. Then, cook the noodles - Cook your pasta al dente.
3. Meanwhile, brown the meat - Sauté the chopped onion, add the garlic and lamb and cook until browned. Season the lamb with cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
4. Finally, make the butter topping - Melt the butter and season with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.

• Substitute lamb with beef or turkey.
• Add vegetables to the dish by mixing in zucchini, spinach, or vegetable of your choice.
• Only use fresh mint and garlic for the yogurt sauce, as dried have a different flavor.
• Don't combine the whole yogurt sauce with noodles and meat if you're going to have leftovers. Keep it separate and top after the noodles and meat are reheated.
• This dish will keep for several days stored refrigerated in an airtight container.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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Turkish Noodles with Garlic Yogurt

By Jas

This classic Turkish dish combines noodles, minced meat, garlic and mint yogurt sauce, and a drizzle of spiced butter for an incredibly delicious meal.

4.8 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Turkish

Yields 4 servings

Calories 944 kcal

EQUIPMENT

• Cast-iron or a nonstick skillet
• Large pan
• Sieve
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

1x2x3x

US Customary - Metric

• ▢ 12 oz. wide egg noodles
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 zucchini, sliced, sautéed or roasted (optional)

Yogurt Sauce

• ▢ 2 cups plain yogurt
• ▢ 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• ▢ 3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Meat Topping

• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• ▢ 1 small onion, finely chopped
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cumin
• ▢ A pinch of cinnamon
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Butter Topping

• ▢ ¼ cup butter, melted
• ▢ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ Dash of cayenne pepper

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Yogurt Sauce

• Stir together 2 cups of yogurt, 1 minced clove of garlic and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint. Season the yogurt with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
• Cook 12 oz. noodles in salted water according to the package directions.

  Drain and return to the pot. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil and set aside.
• Mix in sautéed or roasted zucchini slices or vegetable of choice, if you wish.

Meat Topping

• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet. Add 1 chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 pound ground lamb. Sauté until meat is lightly browned. Season the mixture with ¼ teaspoon cumin, a pinch of cinnamon, and salt and pepper to taste.

Butter Topping

• Season ¼ cup melted butter with ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Arrange cooked noodles on serving dishes. Top with meat mixture and add yogurt sauce. Drizzle each portion with a tablespoon of butter topping and serve immediately.

Notes

• Substitute lamb with beef or turkey.
• Add vegetables to the dish by mixing in zucchini, spinach, or vegetable of your choice.
• Only use fresh mint and garlic for the yogurt sauce, as dried have a different flavor.
• Don’t combine the whole yogurt sauce with noodles and meat if you’re going to have leftovers. Keep it separate and top after the noodles and meat are reheated.
• This dish will keep for several days stored refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 944kcal (47%) | Carbohydrates: 72g (24%) | Protein: 36g (72%) | Fat: 57g (88%) | Saturated Fat: 19g (95%) | Cholesterol: 170mg (57%) | Sodium: 428mg (18%) | Potassium: 848mg (24%) | Fiber: 4g (16%) | Sugar: 10g (11%) | Vitamin A: 1062IU (21%) | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 228mg (23%) | Iron: 4mg (22%)

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