Aushak pasta with garlic mint yogurt is an easy take on Afghan aushak that brings all the comforting flavors of the traditional dumpling dish with a simpler twist. Tender pasta is tossed in a warmly spiced ground beef sauce, rich with garlic, tomato, and aromatic Afghan seasonings. It’s finished with a generous spoonful of garlicky mint yogurt, which adds a cool, tangy contrast to the hearty meat sauce. This easy-to-make version captures the spirit of aushak in a cozy, weeknight-friendly format—flavorful, satisfying, and unique.
If you’d like to make the authentic Aushak dumplings (which I definitely recommend), you can see my recipe for those here. I am so happy with this easy weeknight version though that is ready is 30 minutes and has the same fantastic flavor. I ate the leftovers of this for lunch today and it was just as good the next day reheated. You could also make this sauce with ground lamb, or if you wanted to make a vegetarian version, you could just leave the meat out and use the spiced tomato sauce.
Aushak Pasta with Garlic Mint Yogurt
Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 1 lb pasta I used bowties
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 28oz crushed tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp sumac optional
- 1/4 tsp cayenne optional, if you like spice
- 1/2 tsp dried mint
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
For the yogurt:
- 1 cup plain full fat greek yogurt
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup mint leaves minced
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine the yogurt, garlic, garlic powder, mint and salt to taste. Mix well.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and stir. Cook for a minute or two and then add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Add in the seasonings and a pinch of salt. Brown the meat until cooked through, then add the tomatoes and a little water. Simmer for 15 minutes, then taste and add more salt or more of the other spices if it needs more flavor.
- Cook the pasta according to instructions, drain, and toss with the meat sauce and cook, stirring, for a minute or two to let the pasta get coated. Serve in a bowl topped with garlic mint yogurt.