Ground Turkey Pasta with Creamy Tomato and Cheese Sauce Recipe
A creamy and comforting Ground Turkey Pasta recipe featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a flavorful tomato and cheese sauce with ground turkey, seasoned with Italian spices and garlic. This dish is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner and garnished with fresh parsley and optional red chili flakes for a subtle kick.
- 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
- 12 oz penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 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
Seasonings & Others
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Red chili flakes for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, adding at least 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook the penne pasta 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente texture. Reserve 1 cup of boiling pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add ground turkey to the pan and cook over medium to medium-high heat, breaking it into small bite-sized pieces. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add Flour and Liquids: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the turkey mixture and stir well to combine. Pour in 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and the canned tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce. Pour in 1 cup half-and-half and stir until everything is well combined.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: For a thinner sauce, gradually add additional chicken broth or the reserved pasta water. For a creamier sauce, add more half-and-half to your preference.
- Cheese and Season: Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, then sprinkle the remaining half cup of each on top.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce heat to low and cover the pan or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Let it sit until the cheese melts completely, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and red chili flakes if using. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy ground turkey pasta!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed for a perfect texture.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the dish.
- Can substitute penne with any pasta shape you prefer.
- For a spicier kick, increase red chili flakes garnish.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated; add extra half-and-half when reheating if sauce thickens too much.
Keywords: ground turkey pasta, creamy turkey pasta, one pot pasta, weeknight dinner, Italian pasta recipe
