Turkish Cheesy Manti (Printable)

Delicate dumplings filled with creamy cheese, served with yogurt sauce and a drizzle of spiced butter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1/2 cup water, more as needed

→ Cheese Filling

05 - 1 cup Turkish white cheese (or feta), crumbled
06 - 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
07 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Yogurt Sauce

09 - 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Spiced Butter

12 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 1 teaspoon paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or chili flakes

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Create a well in the center, add the egg and water. Mix and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, adding more water if necessary. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
02 - In a bowl, combine Turkish white cheese, ricotta, chopped parsley, and black pepper until well mixed.
03 - Mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Set aside.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough very thin, approximately 1/16 inch thick. Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.
05 - Place about 1/2 teaspoon of cheese filling in the center of each dough square. Pinch corners together to seal, forming small dumplings.
06 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook dumplings in batches for 5 to 7 minutes or until they float and are tender. Drain thoroughly.
07 - Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat. Stir in paprika and Aleppo pepper, cooking for 30 seconds until aromatic.
08 - Place dumplings on plates. Spoon yogurt sauce over them, then drizzle with the spiced butter. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Each bite melts with creamy cheese and pairs perfectly with cool garlicky yogurt—it's comfort that feels elegant.
  • The dumplings are smaller than you'd expect, making them irresistible to keep eating.
  • The whole meal comes together in about an hour, making it perfect for impressing people on a weeknight.
02 -
  • Don't skip resting the dough—it's the difference between tender manti and ones that feel tough in your mouth.
  • Rolling thin is non-negotiable; thick dough defeats the whole delicate purpose of this dish.
  • Drain the cooked manti well on a towel, otherwise excess water will make everything soggy and dilute the yogurt sauce.
03 -
  • If your dough tears while rolling, patch it with a small piece of dough and a dab of water—no one will ever notice.
  • Make the cheese filling and yogurt sauce ahead of time; only the dough needs to be fresh on the day you cook.
Go Back