Ground Turkey Pasta: Creamy Comfort in Minutes Recipe
This Ground Turkey Pasta recipe offers a creamy, comforting meal ready in minutes. Combining tender penne pasta with a savory turkey tomato sauce enriched by cheeses and a touch of cream, it’s a delicious one-pan dish perfect for weeknights. Fresh parsley and red chili flakes add a vibrant finish to this hearty, flavorful pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Penne Pasta
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
- 1 pound Ground Turkey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose Flour
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ cup Half-and-half
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until just shy of al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside, allowing the steam to escape.
- Sauté the onion: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the finely diced yellow onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Cook the ground turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and crumbly. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Make the sauce: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the turkey mixture, stirring continuously. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup tomato sauce while stirring. Bring to a gentle simmer and let thicken for 3-5 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Fold the cooked penne pasta into the turkey sauce mixture, coating all pieces thoroughly. Stir in ½ cup half-and-half for creaminess. Adjust sauce thickness by adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Add cheese: Lower the heat, then fold in half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, stirring until melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover skillet for 2 minutes to melt the cheese fully.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and red chili flakes (if using) over the pasta. Serve warm on plates and enjoy your creamy ground turkey pasta.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with any pasta shape you prefer.
- Ground beef or turkey sausage can replace ground turkey for different flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free flour and pasta for a gluten-free version.
- Vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust chili flakes to control the spice level or omit altogether.
- Half-and-half can be switched with heavy cream for a richer sauce or non-dairy milk for a lighter, dairy-free alternative.
Keywords: Ground Turkey Pasta, Creamy Turkey Pasta, Easy Dinner Recipe, Comfort Food, Weeknight Pasta
