Step 1: Cooking the Pasta to Perfection

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Add your pasta of choice and cook until al dente, soft but slightly firm to the bite.
3. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency later.

Step 2: Preparing the Creamy Yogurt Sauce

1. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt.
2. Whisk until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of reserved pasta water to thin it out.
3. Let it sit for a few minutes so the flavors can meld together.

Step 3: Making the Spiced Butter Topping

1. In a small pan, melt butter with olive oil over low heat.
2. Stir in red pepper flakes (Pul Biber), sumac, and dried mint.
3. Let the mixture bubble for a few seconds until fragrant.
4. Remove from heat immediately to avoid burning the spices.

Step 4: Cooking the Protein (Optional)

• For ground beef:

  1. Sauté in a pan with a little oil, adding salt, black pepper, and paprika for extra flavor.
  2. Cook until browned.

• For chickpeas:

  1. Pan-fry them in olive oil with garlic and cumin until crispy.

Step 5: Assembling the Dish

1. Toss the cooked pasta with the garlic-yogurt sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
2. Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle the spiced butter over the top.
3. Add your cooked ground beef or crispy chickpeas as the final layer.

Step 6: Garnishing for Extra Flavor

1. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or dill for a pop of color.
2. Add extra red pepper flakes if you love heat.
3. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!