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Spiced Lamb and Dill Yogurt Pasta

Spiced Lamb and Dill Yogurt Pasta is a quick Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring savory spiced ground lamb tossed with tender pasta and a creamy yogurt sauce flavored with fresh dill and lemon. The warm spices and cool herbs create a balanced, comforting meal that’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Pasta
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni or fusilli)
Spiced Lamb
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
Dill Yogurt Sauce
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon zest

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  2. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, chopped dill, lemon zest, and a small pinch of salt until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground lamb and cook while breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and slightly crispy.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, and paprika. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spices become fragrant.
  5. Add a few spoonfuls of pasta cooking water to the skillet and stir to create a light sauce around the lamb.
  6. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta with the spiced lamb mixture.
  7. Remove from heat and fold in the dill yogurt sauce until creamy. Serve immediately with extra dill and a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.

Notes

This pasta tastes best served immediately while warm and creamy. You can add spinach, olives, or feta for a Mediterranean twist, or substitute ground beef or turkey if lamb is unavailable.