Description
Anna Paul’s Viral Turkish Pasta is a delightful fusion dish featuring a creamy and flavorful tomato-based sauce. Made with simple ingredients like tomato paste, diced tomatoes, spices, olive oil, butter, and finished with cream and parmesan, this recipe offers a rich, comforting pasta that is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) spaghetti or any pasta of choice
- Salt (for pasta water)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for boiling pasta)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional for extra flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half/milk for lighter version)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Extra parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water for later use.
- Prepare the sauce base: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter until melted. Add the tomato paste and sauté for 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavor and remove raw taste.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Stir in the diced tomatoes, paprika, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate cream and cheese: Lower the heat and gently stir in the heavy cream. Add the grated parmesan cheese if using, stirring until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat every strand evenly. Cook together for 1-2 minutes so the pasta absorbs the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this creamy, flavorful Turkish-inspired pasta dish.
Notes
- Use smoked paprika for a more intense smoky flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference; omit if sensitive to heat.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a lovely umami boost.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness; you can substitute with basil if preferred.
