Description
This Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe combines tender penne pasta with a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce and savory ground turkey, making a hearty and comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners. The sauce is enriched with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses for ultimate flavor and creaminess.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Red chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water (with at least 1 tablespoon of salt) to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions to keep it al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the boiling pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté the onions: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook over medium to medium-high heat, breaking it into small bite-sized pieces. Once fully cooked, season with 2 teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, Italian seasoning, and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for another minute to release the garlic aroma.
- Make the sauce base: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the turkey mixture and stir well to combine. Pour in 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and the entire 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken.
- Add pasta and cream: Stir in the cooked pasta and pour in 1 cup of half and half. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a creamy sauce.
- Adjust consistency: For a thinner sauce, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water or extra chicken broth until desired consistency is reached. For a richer, creamier sauce, add more half and half.
- Incorporate cheese: Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese into the sauce, mixing well.
- Melt the cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Let it cook for a few minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the lid, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and optional red chili flakes for a bit of heat. Serve hot and enjoy your cozy, savory ground turkey pasta!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water is essential to adjust the sauce’s consistency without diluting flavor.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness of the dish.
- Feel free to substitute penne with your favorite pasta shapes.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red chili flakes topping or add some to the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Keywords: ground turkey pasta, creamy turkey pasta, pasta with tomato sauce, easy weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta recipe
