Description
This quick and creamy Yogurt Pasta recipe combines the tanginess of Greek yogurt with garlic and olive oil for a light yet flavorful dish. Perfect for a fast weeknight meal, it uses simple ingredients and minimal cooking time to create a comforting pasta that’s delicious served with fresh herbs and optional cheese.
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
For Cooking & Garnish
- 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 pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the yogurt sauce: While the pasta cooks, in a bowl, mix the yogurt with minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. If the yogurt is very thick, whisk in a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce for better coating.
- Heat oil or butter: In a small pan, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat until warm. Optionally, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper to infuse some heat and flavor.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the hot pasta immediately with the prepared yogurt sauce until evenly coated. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to achieve a silky and smooth sauce consistency.
- Drizzle and garnish: Pour the warm olive oil or melted butter over the pasta. Top with fresh herbs such as mint, dill, or parsley, and sprinkle grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese if using. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use Greek yogurt for a thicker, creamier consistency, or regular plain yogurt thinned with some pasta water.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and make it silky.
- Adding herbs and cheese is optional but adds freshness and depth of flavor.
- Adjust garlic and pepper quantities according to personal preference.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately to prevent the yogurt sauce from curdling or separating.
- For a vegan version, substitute yogurt with a plant-based alternative and use olive oil instead of butter.
