Description
A refined version of a viral comfort dish featuring creamy yogurt, tangy tomato paste, and nutty browned butter for a silky, flavorful pasta experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g (14 oz) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ditalini)
- Salt for the pasta water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat, whisked until smooth)
- ½ cup hot pasta cooking water (reserve when draining)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for browning)
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan or pecorino
- Fresh parsley or dill, finely chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water then drain.
- Heat 2 tbsp of butter with olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant and pale gold — about 30–45 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato paste and smoked paprika; cook 1–2 minutes until the paste darkens. Deglaze with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Lower the heat and whisk in the yogurt in small additions, adding reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to a silky consistency.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss vigorously to coat.
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in a separate small pan until foamy and nut-brown. Remove from heat.
- Spoon the browned butter over the plated pasta, scatter grated cheese and fresh herbs, and finish with a light grate of lemon zest.
Notes
Use room temperature butter for even melting; fresh herbs should be finely chopped; yogurt should be lump-free. Finish with lemon zest for brightness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 35mg