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A skillet filled with the finished ground turkey pasta sauce before the noodles have been added, showing the rich texture.

Ground Turkey Pasta (The Ultimate 30-Minute Recipe)

This Ground Turkey Pasta is the ultimate 30-minute weeknight dinner. A rich, creamy tomato sauce coats tender ground turkey and pasta for a healthy, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal the whole family will love.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey 93/7 recommended
  • 12 oz penne pasta or other short pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes 1 can
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Large Pot

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about one cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it's no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir in the fresh basil, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Notes

Tip 1: Don't overcook the ground turkey to ensure it stays moist and tender.
Tip 2: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the creamiest sauce, as it melts better than pre-shredded varieties.