Description
A simple and creamy yogurt pasta recipe featuring al dente pasta tossed in a garlicky yogurt sauce, enhanced with warm olive oil or butter and optionally garnished with fresh herbs, cheese, and a touch of heat. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner and takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (about 1/2 lb) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or regular plain yogurt)
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or crumbled feta (optional)
- Fresh mint, dill, or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta well.
- Prepare the yogurt sauce: While the pasta cooks, mix the yogurt with minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a bowl. If the yogurt is very thick, whisk in a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen the consistency for easier tossing.
- Heat oil or butter: In a small pan, warm the olive oil or butter over medium heat until fragrant. Optionally, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper at this stage to infuse some heat and flavor into the oil.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the hot pasta with the yogurt mixture until evenly coated. Add additional reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, smooth sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Drizzle and garnish: Drizzle the warm butter or olive oil over the coated pasta. Top with fresh herbs like mint, dill, or parsley, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use plain Greek yogurt for a thicker, creamier sauce, or regular plain yogurt for a lighter texture.
- Adjust garlic quantity to taste for milder or stronger flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it adhere better to pasta.
- Fresh herbs add a bright, fresh note but are optional based on availability.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and aromatic flavors.
- For a vegan variation, substitute the yogurt with a plant-based yogurt and use olive oil instead of butter, omitting the cheese.
