Ground Turkey Pasta

Ground turkey pasta is a delicious and healthy dish for the whole family! It’s an easy busy weeknight dinner that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. With some few simple ingredients you will have this wholesome meal on the table in under 30 minutes. With some simple ingredients and some hidden extra veggies, this will quickly become a weeknight favorite. If you like simple meals, also check out my recipe for healthy skillet lasagna, salmon stir fry and hibachi shrimp.

This post may contain affiliate links in which I receive a small commission.

This recipe came about by simply going to my fridge and trying to find something quick and easy that would satisfy my entire family. With a forever hungry husband, a growing pre-teen bonus son and an almost toddler, it’s sometimes challenging to find something the entire family can eat and enjoy. I started with my base of ground turkey and looked to see what veggies I had on hand that were ‘almost’ about to expire. I love hiding additional veggies in my recipes because it saves me the trouble of trying to convince everyone they are good for you. Once I took inventory of what I had, viola…this recipe was born!

WHY LEAN GROUND TURKEY

Ground turkey is a great alternative to ground beef and can provide a leaner, healthier option. It has a lower fat content than ground beef without losing any of the flavor. I personally like to use ground turkey that is 93% lean and has 7% fat (93/7) however using a lean turkey that is 85% lean and 15% fat will work for this great dish as well. It is also much more affordable, making it a great option for a budget-friendly meal.

Ground turkey is also very versatile and can be used in many different types of dishes. Adding ground turkey to pasta is a great way to get in some extra protein and make the meal more filling.

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA TO USE

For ground turkey pasta, I typically like to use a short cut pasta. For this recipe I used a whole grain penne pasta. That said, there are a variety of pastas that will work too. Some that come to mind are rotini pasta, fusilli, rigatoni, or farfelle. All of these are widely common and can be found at any local grocery store. That said, if all you have on hand is a long cut pasta like spaghetti, or angel hair, feel free to use what you already have.

Using a short cut pasta will also easily turn this into a delicious ground turkey casserole as well. No matter how you decide to make it, it is a delicious dish for an easy dinner that toddlers and husbands will be enjoy!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR GROUND TURKEY PASTA

The ingredients needed for this ground turkey pasta are pretty common and simple. This recipe is very forgiving and if you do not have something on hand, it can be omitted and the overall taste will remain the same.

Ingredients list:

• Whole grain pasta
• Ground Turkey
• Red bell peppers
• Red onion
• Garlic
• Tomato sauce
• Staple Seasonings

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY PASTA

Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Season with salt. Cook pasta to package instructions. Al dente pasta is recommended when cooking any type of pasta. The pasta will still have a “bite” to it but it’s soft overall.

In a large skillet heat to medium-high heat. While your skillet is heating, dice your red onions, red bell peppers and finely chop your spinach. Once the skillet is hot, pour 1 tsp of olive oil in the pan and brown the ground turkey. Once the turkey is cooked through, remove from heat and drain the excess fat.

Return skillet to the heat and add another tsp of oil. Next add your onions, garlic and peppers and cook until just softened. About 2-3 minutes. Once softened, add your spinach and stir until the spinach begins to wilt. Add your cooked ground turkey to the skillet and add 2 cans of tomato sauce plus your seasonings including: black pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes.

Allow your sauce to come to a bubble and then reduce heat to medium heat and allow to simmer so flavors combine. About 10-15 minutes.

Once the meat sauce is complete, you’re ready to build your plate. Add some of the cooked pasta to a dish, top with the lean turkey mixture.

Optional toppings you can add are:

• Parmesan cheese
• Creamy mozzarella
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh herbs
• Fresh basil

Again, these toppings are suggestions as the meal is delicious and packs a lot of flavor on its own!

HOW TO SERVE GROUND TURKEY PASTA

Ground turkey pasta can be served in a variety of ways. It can be served with a side salad, or it can be served with some steamed vegetables like green beans or broccoli for an extra boost of nutrition. It also makes a great lunch or dinner meal that can be reheated for a quick and easy meal. Ground turkey pasta is a great option for a healthy, budget-friendly meal that the whole family can enjoy!

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS

Leftovers of this dish is pretty simple to store. First allow the meat mixture to cool down to room temperature. Once done, you can store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Alternatively, if you meal prep, you can portion out the pasta and meat sauce into individual airtight containers and store in the fridge. This option makes this meal become more portable and easy to grab and reheat while on the go.

If you make this ground turkey pasta or any of my easy recipes, please leave a comment below! Also, feel free to connect with me on my social platforms as I share more of my healthy recipes, fitness workouts and mom life! Give a follow at: Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest!