The TikTok-Famous Turkish Pasta Recipe You’ll Want to Make Every Week

When it comes to quick, comforting and incredibly flavorful meals, you’ll find a lot of them on TikTok. The newest recipe to take social media by storm? Influencer Anna Paul’s 10-minute Turkish pasta. Paul, a popular Australian content creator with 7.2 million followers, shared her mom’s recipe back in November, and it’s been a viral sensation ever since. Her video alone racked up over 21.1 million views, with fans declaring the dish the “best pasta” they’ve ever eaten. But what makes this dish so special? Here’s why the viral TikTok Turkish pasta has everyone hooked and how you can recreate it at home.

The story behind the viral TikTok Turkish pasta

Paul’s 10-minute Turkish pasta is inspired by the traditional Central Asian dish called Manti, a type of dumpling. Her mom’s take on it, however, is all about speed and simplicity—a weeknight dinner that comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta.

Paul’s original TikTok video gives viewers a glimpse into her family’s kitchen, where her mom prepares the meal with love. According to Paul, the announcement that Turkish pasta is for dinner is enough to get the whole family excited. Since posting the recipe, it’s become a cult favorite, with dozens of TikTok users recreating the dish and sharing their glowing reviews. One user gushed, “Easily a 10 out of 10… it’s now a staple weeknight dinner.” Another declared, “See why this is viral—OMG!” Paul herself noted in a recent video, “I get tagged in 30 to 40 stories of people making this every single day.” That’s the power of a great recipe—it’s delicious, accessible and makes everyone happy.

In a follow-up TikTok, Paul’s mom suggested making a vegetarian version with lentils instead of meat, proving this recipe can suit any dietary preference.

What makes it so special?

Paul’s mom’s Turkish pasta stands out because of its bold flavors, simple ingredients and easy preparation. It’s a dish that feels both nostalgic and fresh, and it’s endlessly adaptable.

The star of the dish is the spiced ground beef, which Paul’s mom sautés in its own fat. She makes sure to season it first with a pinch of curry powder (to eliminate any ‘weird meat flavor’) Cooking the meat until crispy ensures maximum flavor.

Paul calls the garlicky yogurt sauce the ‘the most important part’ of the dish. It’s made by mixing Greek yogurt with three cloves of minced garlic and a pinch of salt. The result is a tangy, creamy sauce that perfectly balances the richness of the meat. A quick drizzle of melted butter infused with paprika adds a smoky, spicy kick to the dish. Paul’s mom opts for bowtie or fusilli pasta, which holds the sauce in each crevice.

How to make the viral TikTok Turkish pasta

Ready to try it yourself? Since Paul’s original video doesn’t provide a written recipe, here’s an adapted recipe from Fool Proof Living.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. short pasta, preferred shape

• 1 lb. ground beef, 93/7

• 1 medium size onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

• 1 Tbs. red pepper paste, or tomato paste

• ¼ tsp. ground black pepper

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half, for garnish

• 4 Tbs. dried mint, or parsley, for garnish

Yogurt sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt, unsweetened plain (full fat or skim)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Butter sauce

• ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes, or more to taste

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

• Total Time: About 30 minutes

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Save ½ cup of the water, drain and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking up the large chunks for about 4-5 minutes, until no longer pink. Then, add the onion, red pepper paste, onion powder, ground cumin, sweet paprika, kosher salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring regularly, about 5-6 minutes. If needed, use the reserved pasta water. Set aside.

3. In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice and kosher salt, then set aside.

4. Before serving, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the sweet paprika, red pepper flakes and kosher salt. Stir and cook until butter is fully melted and bubbly.

5. Place the cooked pasta in a bowl, then the yogurt sauce and ⅔ cup of cooked beef. Drizzle with the butter sauce, repeat with for the rest of the bowls. Garnish and serve.

More viral TikTok recipes

TikTok Pickle Margarita Recipe Is the Perfect Refreshing Sip for Your At-Home Happy Hour

Matthew McConaughey’s Tuna Salad Recipe Is Wild, Unhinged and Totally Viral—Here’s How to Make It

This Viral Mac and Cheese Recipe Is the Cheesy Comfort Food TikTok Can’t Stop Talking About