Looking for a tasty and easy meal? Turkish-style pasta with lamb and chilli butter is a great choice. This dish has soft pasta, juicy lamb, creamy yogurt, and a spicy butter sauce. It’s a popular dish in Turkey, and you can make it right in your kitchen. Whether you are new to cooking or already enjoy it, this recipe will show you how to make a delicious dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
For the Lamb Pasta
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 500g (1lb 2oz) lamb mince (ground lamb)
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- A pinch of salt
- 400ml (14 fl oz) lamb stock
- 500g (1lb 2oz) paccheri pasta (large tube pasta)
For the Chilli Butter
- 100g (3½ oz) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (pul biber)
- 2 teaspoon mild chilli flakes
For the Greek Yoghurt
- 150g (5½ oz) Greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
For the Garnish
- 1 beef tomato, chopped
- 4 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon chopped mint
How to Make Turkish Pasta with Lamb and Chilli Butter
1. Make the Yogurt Sauce
Start by making the yogurt sauce. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt with crushed garlic and a pinch of salt. Stir it until everything is well combined. This yogurt sauce will be the perfect side to cool down the spiciness from the chili butter sauce. After mixing it, set the bowl aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
2. Cook the Lamb
In a large pan, heat 2 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook it for 3–4 minutes, until it becomes soft and clear. Then, add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute. You will start to smell the garlic, which will add a wonderful aroma to your dish.
Now it’s time to add the lamb. Add the ground lamb to the pan and break it up using a wooden spoon. Cook the lamb until it turns brown and all the pink color disappears. Stir often to make sure the meat cooks evenly. After the lamb is cooked, add the cumin, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and a pinch of salt. Stir these spices well to add flavor. Let the lamb cook for another few minutes to mix all the spices in.
Next, pour in the lamb stock and stir. Let the stock simmer for about 10 minutes to reduce and thicken a little. This will make the lamb more flavorful and tender. Once the lamb is done, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside. Now you can start cooking the pasta.
3. Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water, which will help flavor the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the paccheri pasta. Paccheri is a big, tube-like pasta that will hold all the lamb and spicy butter well. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Usually, this takes about 8-10 minutes, but check the package for specific instructions.
When the pasta is soft, drain the water from the pot and set the pasta aside. It’s important to cook the pasta just right – not too soft and not too hard. After draining, leave the pasta in the pot or on a plate and get ready for the next step.
4. Make the Chilli Butter Sauce
For the spicy butter sauce, melt 100g of butter in a small pan over low heat. As the butter melts, add the red pepper flakes (pul biber) and mild chili flakes to the pan. Stir the butter gently, making sure the spices are well mixed in. Let it cook for about 1–2 minutes. You’ll notice the butter turning a bright red and becoming fragrant with the chili flavors. Be careful not to burn the butter, as you want it to stay smooth and flavorful.
5. Put Everything Together
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Start by placing the cooked pasta onto a large serving plate. Then, spread the cooked lamb on top of the pasta. You can make sure to spread it evenly so every bite has some lamb. After that, drizzle the chili butter sauce over the pasta and lamb. If you like spicy food, you can add more chili butter on top.
Next, add a generous spoonful of the garlic yogurt on the side or directly on top of the pasta. The creamy yogurt will cool down the spiciness of the chili butter and make the dish even more delicious.
6. Garnish
To finish the dish, sprinkle some fresh parsley, chopped mint, and chopped tomato over the pasta. The parsley and mint will add a burst of color and freshness, while the tomato will add a little sweetness to balance the flavors.
How to Serve Turkish Pasta with Lamb and Chilli Butter
This dish tastes best when it’s served hot. Here’s how to make it even better:
- With Bread: Serve the pasta and lamb with some flatbread like pita or lavash. It’s great for soaking up the chili butter sauce!
- With Salad: A simple salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions goes perfectly with this dish. The fresh vegetables will balance the richness of the lamb.
- With Extra Yogurt: You can add a spoon of garlic yogurt on the side to help cool down the heat from the chili butter.
- With Grilled Vegetables: Serve the pasta with grilled veggies like peppers, zucchini, or eggplant for a healthy and tasty side.
Conclusion
Turkish-style pasta with lamb and chili butter is a must-try for anyone craving bold flavours. The dish balances the richness of lamb with the cooling touch of yogurt, while the chili butter adds a spicy kick that elevates the whole meal. Whether you serve it with bread, a fresh salad, or grilled vegetables, it’s sure to impress and satisfy. Perfect for any occasion, this dish brings the taste of Turkey to your kitchen with ease.
For more authentic Turkish flavours, visit the Restaurant in Woking, where traditional recipes come to life. If you want more ideas, have a look at our list of the Top 10 Turkish foods to try in Woking.
FAQs
1.Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, you can use any pasta you like, but paccheri works best because it holds the lamb and butter sauce well. You can also try penne or rigatoni if you don’t have paccheri.
2. How do I store leftovers of Turkish pasta with lamb?
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat it in the microwave or in a pan, adding a little bit of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
3. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! You can replace the lamb with a plant-based meat substitute or even use cooked mushrooms for a savory, vegetarian version. The yogurt and chili butter sauce will still bring a lot of flavor.
4. Can I use store-bought chili flakes instead of pul biber?
Yes, you can use regular chili flakes instead of pul biber. Pul biber has a mild heat and a slightly smoky flavor, but regular chili flakes will work fine as a substitute.
5. How do I make the lamb even more tender?
To make the lamb extra tender, cook it on low heat for longer and add a little more lamb stock. You can also simmer it for an extra 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to really soak in.
