Ankara tava is a traditional dish originating from Ankara. The dish is often made with a combination of lamb, orzo pasta, oil, hot peppers, tomatoes, onions, tomato paste, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper. The peppers and onions are seasoned with cumin and black pepper, then cooked in oil with tomato paste, garlic, and tomatoes in order to make a tomato sauce.

The meat is cubed and cooked in a bit of water until it evaporates. The small orzo pasta is cooked in a pilaf pot with the tomato sauce and some water until tender. Once done, the cooked meat is mixed with the contents of the pilaf and the dish is ready to be served.

The lamb is sometimes replaced with veal or sheep meat, while the pasta can be replaced with vermicelli.