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Macarona Bil Laban

A delightful Middle Eastern dish of pasta served with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 400 grams 400 grams of pasta (penne or fusilli recommended) Short pasta shapes hold the sauce better.
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
  • 2 cups 2 cups plain yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt) Greek yogurt adds a rich texture.
  • 4 cloves 4 cloves garlic (minced) Adjust garlic quantity to taste.
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons olive oil Used for sautéing garlic.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) Season according to preference.
  • 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon dried mint (optional, for garnish)
  • Chopped parsley (for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon pine nuts (toasted, optional)

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Save about one cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the Garlic Yogurt Sauce
  1. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Mix the Yogurt
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the plain yogurt with the sautéed garlic and olive oil mixture. Mix well until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta and pour the garlic yogurt sauce over it. Toss gently until the pasta is well coated. If the mixture seems dry, add more reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Serve
  1. Transfer the macarona bil laban to a serving dish. Garnish with toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of dried mint, if using. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a splash of water to restore the creamy texture and heat gently over medium heat.