Turkish Pasta Paprika Butter (Printable)

A comforting Turkish-inspired pasta with garlicky yogurt and rich paprika chili butter, perfect for busy nights.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz dried pasta (tagliatelle or spaghetti)
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Garlicky Yogurt

03 - 14 oz Greek yogurt, full-fat
04 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

→ Paprika Chili Butter

07 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, finely chopped
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
02 - In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, salt, and lemon juice if using. Mix well and set aside at room temperature.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Stir in paprika, chili flakes, and cumin if using. Cook gently 1-2 minutes until fragrant and vibrant in color. Remove from heat.
04 - Return drained pasta to pot and toss with reserved pasta water to loosen. Plate pasta, spoon garlicky yogurt over warm noodles, then drizzle with paprika chili butter.
05 - Sprinkle fresh dill or parsley and freshly ground black pepper over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The garlicky yogurt and paprika butter create this warm, tangy richness that just makes sense with pasta.
  • It's vegetarian, impressive enough for guests, and honest enough for a solo dinner when you need comfort.
02 -
  • Don't let that paprika butter sit in the pan too long after it's fragrant or the spices will burn and turn bitter; move it to a cool surface if you're not ready to serve immediately.
  • The pasta water is essential—it helps the yogurt coat the noodles without clumping, so don't skip reserving it.
03 -
  • Reserve the pasta water before you drain; there's no going back once it's gone, and it makes a real difference in the texture.
  • Taste your garlicky yogurt before you plate—this is your chance to adjust the garlic, salt, or lemon to your preference without affecting the final dish.
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