Description
Turkish Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining creamy plant-based cheese with savory smoked turkey bacon and a tangy tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy and versatile recipe offers a smoky, cheesy, and vibrant meal perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 250g short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
Protein
- 150g smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Sauce Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Cheese
- 100g plant-based cheese (shredded)
Herbs and Spices
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (natural)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water, and set aside.
- Prepare the Smoky Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until crispy and fragrant. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the infused oil in the skillet.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, add chopped onions and sauté until soft and golden. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until aromatic.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste (natural) to coat the onions and garlic evenly. Add apple cider vinegar to brighten the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it by adding reserved pasta water gradually.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the crispy smoked turkey bacon to the skillet. Mix all ingredients together and let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cheese and Finish: Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded plant-based cheese until melted and creamy. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss gently, ensuring every piece is evenly coated.
Notes
- Keep pasta al dente to maintain texture and avoid mushiness.
- Use reserved pasta water to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
- Adjust salt gradually, especially if the plant-based cheese is salty.
- Lightly toast spices before adding to the sauce to enhance their flavor.
- Add fresh parsley or herbs at the end for brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Turkish pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, smoked turkey bacon pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, savory pasta, gluten free pasta option
