Ground turkey pasta is a flavorful, wholesome meal the whole family will enjoy. It’s quick and simple to prepare—ready in under 30 minutes—making it perfect for busy weeknights. With a few basic pantry ingredients and some optional hidden vegetables, this satisfying dish is both nutritious and budget-friendly. If you enjoy straightforward dinners, try my other easy recipes like healthy skillet lasagna, salmon stir fry, and hibachi shrimp.
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This recipe came together from what I had on hand and the need to feed a hungry family fast. Ground turkey makes a great base, and adding vegetables that were on their way out turned this into a nutritious crowd-pleaser. I often sneak extra veggies into recipes to avoid the nightly negotiation over what’s “healthy.” After checking the fridge and pantry, this easy pasta supper was born.
WHY LEAN GROUND TURKEY
Lean ground turkey is an excellent alternative to ground beef: it delivers plenty of protein with less fat. I usually use 93/7 (93% lean, 7% fat) for this recipe, but 85/15 also works if that’s what you have. Ground turkey is typically more affordable than beef and adapts well to a variety of flavor profiles, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
It pairs especially well with pasta, turning a simple bowl of noodles into a more filling, protein-rich main course.
WHAT TYPE OF PASTA TO USE
Short-cut pasta works best for this dish because it holds sauce and mixes easily with the meat and vegetables. I used whole-grain penne, but rotini, fusilli, rigatoni, or farfalle are all great choices. If all you have is long pasta like spaghetti or angel hair, that will work fine too—use whatever you have on hand.
Using a short pasta also makes it easy to transform this into a casserole if you want to bake it later. Either way, it’s a family-friendly dinner that’s simple to prepare.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR GROUND TURKEY PASTA
The ingredient list is straightforward and forgiving—omit or substitute items as needed and the dish will still be delicious.
Ingredients list:
- Whole-grain pasta (or any pasta you prefer)
- Ground turkey (about 1.5 lb)
- Red bell pepper, diced
- Red onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Tomato sauce (2 x 15 oz cans)
- Staple seasonings (Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper)
- Baby spinach (optional, chopped)
HOW TO MAKE TURKEY PASTA
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season generously with salt. Cook the pasta according to package directions, aiming for al dente so it keeps a pleasant texture when combined with the sauce.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Dice the red onion and bell pepper and finely chop the spinach. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the hot skillet, then brown the ground turkey until cooked through. Remove the turkey and drain any excess fat.
Return the skillet to the heat and add another teaspoon of oil. Sauté the onions, garlic, and peppers for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the spinach until it wilts, then return the cooked turkey to the pan. Add two cans of tomato sauce and season with Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. To serve, portion the pasta onto plates and top with the turkey tomato mixture.
Optional toppings you can add are:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella (fresh or shredded)
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Additional fresh herbs like basil
These toppings enhance the dish but aren’t necessary—the pasta and turkey sauce are flavorful on their own.
HOW TO SERVE GROUND TURKEY PASTA
Serve this pasta with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables such as green beans or broccoli for extra nutrition. It reheats well, making it ideal for leftovers, meal prep, or a quick lunch. This is a healthy, economical option that tends to please both kids and adults.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS
Allow the meat mixture to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. For meal prep, portion pasta and sauce into individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals that can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove.
If you make this ground turkey pasta or any of my easy recipes, please leave a comment below and share how it turned out. I also post recipes, workouts, and glimpses of mom life on social platforms—find me on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Ground Turkey Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cans Tomato sauce 15 oz cans
- 1.5 lb Ground turkey
- 1/3 cup Red onion diced
- 1 tsp Garlic minced
- 1/3 cup Red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup Baby spinach chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Penne Pasta
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
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Season the water with salt.
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Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
Ground Turkey Meat Mixture
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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While it heats, dice the onion and bell pepper and chop the spinach.
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Add 1 tsp olive oil and brown the ground turkey until cooked through.
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Remove the turkey and drain any excess fat.
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Return the skillet to heat and add another tsp of oil.
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Sauté onions, garlic, and peppers until just softened, about 2–3 minutes.
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Add spinach and cook until wilted.
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Return the cooked turkey to the skillet, pour in the tomato sauce, and add seasonings.
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Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes to combine flavors.
Optional Toppings
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Parmesan cheese
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Mozzarella
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Fresh parsley
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Fresh herbs
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Fresh basil
Notes