This Ground Turkey Pasta is the perfect weeknight meal that’s quick, flavorful, and easy to make, plus it’s customizable to your liking. I love how it’s made with lean turkey, tender pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes. You can easily sneak in extra veggies like mushrooms or b0ell peppers to boost the flavor and add some fiber, which I always do.
What makes this recipe so great is that it uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry. Tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic, and some broth come together to create a rich, satisfying sauce. It’s a meal I can put on the table fast, and it’s a big hit with my family.
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility, it’s the kind of meal I can easily tweak with different veggies or spices, depending on what I have at home. It’s comforting, tasty, and works perfectly as meal prep too! This ground turkey pasta is one of those meals I find myself making over and over again, quick, easy, and always satisfying.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Ground Turkey Pasta
- So Easy to Make: This recipe is my go-to for busy nights. It’s quick, simple, and uses ingredients I always have on hand. Perfect when I need a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Packed with Flavor: The mix of garlic, onions, and peppers, adds so much depth, and the creamy tomato sauce ties everything together. It’s one of those dishes where every bite is just so good.
- Customizable for Any Mood: I love how flexible this is, sometimes I swap the pasta, throw in extra veggies, or add a little spice. You can make it your own, which is the best part.
- Everyone Loves It: It’s always a hit at my house, even with picky eaters. It’s hearty, comforting, and feels like a big warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for sharing!
🧾Ground Turkey Pasta Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this ground turkey pasta recipe:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It’s the start of everything! It gives the dish a rich base and helps all the flavors blend together perfectly while cooking.
- Onion, Red Bell Pepper, and Garlic: This combo is a game-changer. The onion and bell pepper add a bit of sweetness, and the garlic makes the whole thing smell and taste amazing. Together, they build the perfect base for the sauce.
- Ground Turkey: It’s lean but still super satisfying. It soaks up all the delicious flavors of the sauce, making every bite so good! You can swap ground turkey for ground chicken or pork.
- Salt and Pepper: They might seem simple, but they’re the key to making every ingredient shine.
- Red Pepper Flakes and Italian Seasoning: The red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting, and the Italian seasoning gives it that classic, comforting herb flavor.
- Tomato Paste and Tomato Sauce: These are the stars of the sauce. The paste adds a deep, rich flavor, while the tomato sauce ties everything together with a nice tanginess.
- Chicken Broth: It keeps the sauce from being too heavy and adds a little extra flavor to the mix.
- Heavy Cream: My favorite part! It makes the sauce creamy and rich without being overwhelming. It’s what gives the dish that indulgent feel.
- Parmesan Cheese: The perfect finishing touch, it adds a salty, nutty flavor that makes the pasta taste so much better.
- Shell Pasta: I love how the sauce gets trapped in the shells, it’s like a little surprise in every bite. But honestly, any pasta works if that’s what you’ve got.
- Fresh Basil: The cherry on top! It adds a fresh, fragrant touch that really brightens up the whole dish and makes it feel complete.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Ground Turkey Pasta
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, then cook the diced onion and red bell pepper for 4–5 minutes until softened.
2. Add minced garlic, cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in ground turkey, breaking it up. Cook for 5–6 minutes until browned, seasoning with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and sauce, cooking for 5 minutes to enhance the flavor.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. While the sauce cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook until al dente.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If needed, mix in a bit of pasta water for a smoother consistency.
8. Serve hot, topped with fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
🍽 What to Serve with Ground Turkey Pasta
I love pairing this pasta with ciabatta or garlic bread, there’s nothing better than using it to scoop up that creamy sauce!
A simple green salad or tomato salad is great for balancing out the richness. Sometimes I’ll make a tomato burrata salad or even a quick bruschetta if I’m feeling fancy, it adds a fresh, bright touch. And if you’re into dessert, a delicious tiramisu is always a nice treat!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Don’t Overcook the Turkey: I’ve learned that ground turkey can dry out easily if you cook it too long. Just brown it until it’s no longer pink and then move on to the next step!
Sauté the Veggies First: Taking the time to sauté the onions, garlic, and bell pepper, really brings out the flavors. It makes the sauce taste so much better!
Don’t Skip the Seasoning: Salt and pepper might seem basic, but trust me, they really bring the dish together. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Adjust the Cream: If you want a lighter sauce, you can use less heavy cream. I love a rich, creamy sauce, but it’s up to you how indulgent you want it!
Let the Sauce Simmer: Don’t rush the simmering step, it lets all the flavors blend together. The longer it simmers, the tastier it gets!
Storage: Place the leftover ground turkey pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for longer storage.
🍝More Pasta Recipes to Try!
If you love this ground turkey pasta, you'll also enjoy these tasty pasta recipes:
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Pesto Pasta
- Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Pasta Salad
- Gigi Hadid Pasta
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta Fettuccine
- Cherry Tomato Pasta
- Pasta alla norma (Eggplant Pasta)
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Ground Turkey Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 g Medium Shell Pasta - Or Pasta of Choice
- 3 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 White Onion
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 500 g Ground Turkey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 400 g Tomato Sauce
- 240 ml Chicken Broth
- 120 ml Heavy Cream
- 50 g Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Basil
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and red bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in the tomato paste and the tomato sauce and cook for 5 minutes to bring out the rich flavor.
- Add chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- While the turkey sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine. If needed, add a little bit of pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta smoothly.
- Serve hot, garnish with freshly chopped basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an added touch.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Paulina says
Looks delicious! Love how easy and flavorful this ground turkey pasta is. Perfect for a quick dinner!