Description
A refreshing and comforting Middle Eastern pasta dish featuring tender pasta coated in a creamy, tangy yogurt sauce with garlic and mint, optionally topped with savory seasoned ground meat.
Ingredients
- 300g pasta, such as elbow macaroni or spaghetti
- 500g plain full-fat yogurt
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons dried mint, or fresh mint for garnish
- 200g ground beef or lamb (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- If using the meat topping, heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef or lamb, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat and season with salt and your preferred spices.
- In a large bowl, whisk the plain yogurt until smooth.
- Add the minced garlic and a pinch of salt to the yogurt and stir well.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the yogurt sauce until evenly coated.
- Spoon the macarona bil laban onto serving plates.
- Top with the seasoned ground meat, if using.
- Drizzle with warm butter or olive oil and garnish with dried or fresh mint, toasted pine nuts, or slivered almonds if desired.
Notes
Use full-fat plain yogurt for the richest and creamiest sauce. Whisk the yogurt thoroughly before adding the garlic and seasonings. If warming the yogurt sauce, use gentle heat and never allow it to boil, as this can cause separation. Cook the pasta only until al dente and drain it thoroughly so excess water does not dilute the sauce. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the ground meat and add vegetables such as sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, peas, or roasted cherry tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern