Arabic Pasta with Ground Beef & Yogurt Sauce Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting classics get a fresh twist. Arabic Pasta layers al dente mafalda corta with warm allspice-scented ground beef then blankets everything in cool garlicky yogurt-tahini sauce finished with toasted pine nuts for creamy-crunchy Middle Eastern comfort. Ready in 30 minutes, it serves 6 with restaurant presentation.

Why This Recipe Works

Yogurt-tahini emulsifies into stable cool sauce over hot pasta. Allspice + cinnamon perfume beef without overpowering. Tomato paste deglazes fond for depth. Pine nuts toast golden in beef fat. Fork-mixing prevents yogurt separation. Layered assembly maintains temperature contrast.

Ingredients & Prep

Pasta:

• 1 lb mafalda corta (or penne)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Beef:

• 1½ lb lean ground beef
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 5 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Yogurt Sauce:

• 3 cups full-fat plain yogurt
• ½ cup tahini
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp dried mint
• 1 tsp salt
• Lemon juice

Garnish:

• ¼ cup pine nuts
• Parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil pasta salted water al dente; drain, toss olive oil.
2. Sauté onions olive oil golden; add beef, brown completely.
3. Stir tomato paste + spices; cook 3 minutes fragrant.
4. Toast pine nuts beef fat until golden; reserve.
5. Whisk yogurt, tahini, garlic, mint, salt, lemon smooth.
6. Layer serving dish: pasta, beef mixture, yogurt sauce, pine nuts, parsley.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Fridge components separate 3 days; don’t freeze yogurt.

FAQs

Sauce separates?
Room temp yogurt; whisk vigorously.

Beef greasy?
93/7 lean; drain well.

Nuts burn?
Low heat; stir constantly.

Conclusion

Arabic Pasta comfort-hugs tradition creamy perfection.

Arabic Pasta with Ground Beef & Yogurt Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

Arabic Pasta (Macarona bil Labaneh) layers perfectly cooked pasta with warmly spiced ground beef, creamy yogurt-tahini sauce, and toasted pine nuts. This Middle Eastern comfort food classic delivers restaurant-quality flavor in 30 minutes.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Arabic

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Pasta:
• 1 lb mafalda corta, penne, or rigatoni
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Spiced Beef:
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp ground allspice (or 7-spice)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 5 tbsp tomato paste
• Yogurt Sauce:
• 2½ cups full-fat plain yogurt
• ½ cup tahini
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 4 tsp dried mint
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Garnish:
• ½ cup pine nuts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Chopped parsley

Instructions

• 1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, toss with 2 tbsp olive oil. Set aside.
• 2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large skillet over medium-high. Add onions, cook 5-7 minutes until golden. Add beef, break apart, cook until browned and liquid evaporates (8-10 minutes).
• 3. Stir in allspice, cinnamon, salt, pepper, tomato paste. Cook 3 minutes until fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat.
• 4. Whisk yogurt, tahini, garlic, mint, salt, lemon juice until smooth (fork only, no blender). Taste and adjust garlic/salt.
• 5. Toast pine nuts: heat 2 tbsp oil in small skillet over medium. Add pine nuts, stir constantly 2-3 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels.
• 6. Assemble: layer pasta, spoon beef mixture over, generously drizzle yogurt sauce, sprinkle pine nuts and parsley.

Notes

• Full-fat yogurt + tahini = authentic creamy sauce; low-fat separates.
• Mafalda corta traditional; any short pasta works.
• Allspice essential or use Arabic 7-spice blend.
• Room temp yogurt prevents sauce breaking.
• Leftovers layer beautifully reheats perfectly.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 680
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 980mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: arabic pasta, macarona bil labaneh, yogurt tahini pasta beef