Are you looking for a different type of cold pasta dish to make on a hot day? Pasta salads like Tuna Pasta Salad or Tortellini Salad are common in the west, but in the Middle East, this yogurt pasta recipe, called “macarona bil laban”, is a go-to summer meal. Use spaghetti, or your favorite pasta shape, and stir it into this luscious, creamy sauce made with plain yogurt, plenty of garlic, and herbs. Top your dish with toasted pine nuts and/or almonds, and serve cold or at room temperature with a tasty Fattoush Salad and grilled Shish Tawook. It’s the perfect meal for a warm summer night!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients In Yogurt Pasta
Here’s what you need to make this classic Middle Eastern pasta dish:
Pasta: Any type of pasta will do! I prefer to use spaghetti with this recipe, but try it with linguini, or your favorite short pasta like penne or farfalle. Pine Nuts and Blanched Almonds: You can make this dish with just pine nuts, just almonds, or no nuts at all if you like. I think the toasted nuts add a lot of flavor and texture to the dish, so I never skip them. Yogurt: Plain, unflavored yogurt is the tangy base for this creamy pasta sauce. Greek yogurt can also be used. I suggest using whole milk yogurt rather than fat-free.GarlicDried Mint: You’ll find this ingredient in many Middle Eastern dishes. Buy mint this way at the grocery store. If you have fresh mint growing at home, you can dry it yourself and store it for recipes later!Cilantro: You can use fresh parsley if you aren’t a fan of cilantro.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Yogurt Pasta Sauce
Recipe Tips
Use any pasta shape that you like with this creamy sauce. Nuts are optional, but I never skip them! They make this dish especially delicious. Instead of mint and cilantro, you can use other herbs that you enjoy! Try parsley, or basil instead.Fry the nuts separately. If you decide to use two different types of nuts, you’ll want to fry them separately, as each type/size of nut will cook at a different rate. Don’t burn the garlic! This sauce only needs about 30 seconds on the stove. After the garlic is lightly sauteed, remove the pan from the heat to finish adding the other ingredients. Too much heat can also cause the yogurt to curdle, so you definitely want to add that in after the flame is off. Add some protein, and top your yogurt pasta with seasoned ground beef or ground lamb.
Storing Tips
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days without a problem. This pasta is best reheated over low heat on the stove, just until it’s warm. Add a bit of water to thin out the sauce if needed.
What To Serve With Pasta with Yogurt
Try this creamy yogurt pasta with Beef Kafta, Lamb Kofta, Instant Pot Chicken Schwarma, or Grilled Veggie Kabobs. It’s truly delicious with anything that you want to make on the grill for dinner! See how I make the best Grilled Salmon and Grilled Steaks if you need some ideas. Pasta with Yogurt Sauce is so easy to make, and such a refreshing dish to make on a summer evening! Be sure to Pin this recipe so more people can enjoy this traditional Lebanese yogurt pasta recipe too. © Little Sunny Kitchen
