My ground turkey pasta is delicious, comforting, and so easy to customize with everyone’s favorite veggies! I top this creamy pasta dish with fresh herbs and freshly grated cheese to bring out all of the best flavors.
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My Favorite Way to Make Ground Turkey and Pasta
My ground turkey pasta recipe was made with every member of my family in mind. My husband, Ben, has really been loving ground turkey lately, and it’s safe to say that both of my kids are pasta enthusiasts. Connor enjoys his pasta with red sauce, and Leah leans more toward cream-based sauces.
I wanted to whip something up that would make everyone’s taste buds happy, so I decided on a creamy marinara pasta loaded with seasoned ground turkey! This recipe was the perfect way to bring everyone’s favorites together in one amazing dish.
Leah loved it so much that she asked me to pack a container just for her. She wanted to take some pasta with her for school lunch the next day! Connor was already ready for more, and he asked for seconds as soon as he finished his first serving. Dinner was a success!
Looking for more comforting pasta recipes? Try my chicken spaghetti with Rotel, my spicy chicken chipotle pasta, or my flavorful rigatoni bolognese.
Turkey Pasta Ingredients
- Pasta – Penne is my favorite because of how well it holds the sauce, but any pasta of choice will work just fine!
- Ground turkey – I use lean ground turkey to make this recipe healthy.
- Olive oil – To soften the onions and help brown the meat. Any other neutral oil will work.
- Onion – Adds subtle sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Salt and pepper – Enhance the overall flavor of the recipe.
- Garlic powder – Infuses the meat (and the whole dish) with savory notes.
- Italian seasoning – I love the earthy, peppery flavor of this seasoning blend! I typically use store-bought, but if I’m out, I just mix together some oregano, parsley, basil, and rosemary.
- Marinara sauce – Gives the recipe a hearty tomato flavor.
- Chicken stock – Helps thin out the pasta sauce while also making it more savory.
- Heavy cream – To make the sauce perfectly rich and smooth.
- Parmesan cheese – I sprinkle freshly grated parmesan on top to make each bite a little gooey.
- Fresh herbs – Adding fresh basil or parsley is optional but will elevate the flavor and appearance even more!
How to Make Ground Turkey Pasta
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
STEP TWO: In a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil and diced onions. Cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn soft.
STEP THREE: Add the lean ground turkey to the pan and break it up into smaller pieces. Cook the meat for 6 to 8 minutes, until it has browned. Then, drain any excess liquid, if needed.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, then stir to combine.
STEP FIVE: Next, pour in the marinara sauce and chicken stock. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to create the base of the sauce.
STEP SIX: Stir in the heavy cream, then simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water.
STEP SEVEN: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir the ingredients well and cook the pasta with ground turkey for 2 more minutes.
STEP EIGHT: Top the dish off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and add fresh basil or fresh parsley for garnish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Ground Turkey and Pasta
- I let the ground turkey cook undisturbed for a few minutes before stirring it. This gives it the best browning and flavor!
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta. I only cook mine to al dente since it will soften up more with the sauce in the last few minutes.
- I always reserve some pasta water so that I can thin out the sauce later if it gets too thick. It helps with reheating leftovers too!
- If the sauce looks too runny, I cover it and continue simmering so that it thickens and reduces.
- My preference is freshly grated cheese over pre-shredded cheese! I find that fresh cheese has the best flavor and melts better too.
Pasta with Ground Turkey Variations and Substitutions
- To make this dish spicy, I sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. My husband loves the extra kick!
- For a lighter and thinner sauce, I swap out the heavy cream and use whole milk or half-and-half instead.
- I love customizing this recipe with different veggies to match everyone’s taste! Mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini are just a few ideas.
- If I want to add even more depth to the flavor, I opt for fresh garlic instead of garlic powder.
- I sometimes use mozzarella cheese instead of Parmesan cheese on top, depending on what my family prefers.
What to Serve with Turkey Pasta
Nothing goes better with this pasta than a serving of delicious garlic cheese bread! My family also loves pasta dishes served with a simple Caesar salad (minus the chicken).
When I’m craving something equally hearty to serve alongside pasta, I pair it with my flavorful, comforting white bean soup.
Ground Turkey Pasta FAQs
How should I store leftover ground turkey and pasta?
I let my leftover pasta cool fully first, then I transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For an easy meal later, I pop it in the freezer and store it for up to 2 months.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Chicken spaghetti with rotel
- Pork chop casserole
- Tri tip in the crock pot
- Air fryer turkey burgers
- Easy hamburger steak recipe
Easy Ground Turkey Pasta
Ingredients
- 14 oz penne pasta or your favorite pasta shape
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 pound ground turkey lean ground turkey preferred
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more for pasta water
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 23 oz marinara sauce jarred pasta sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- Optional: fresh parsley or fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Pour olive oil to a large pan over medium heat and add in your diced onions. Cook them for 3–4 minutes until they turn soft.
- Add lean ground turkey to the pan and break it up into smaller pieces. Cook it until it has browned, about 6–8 minutes, then drain any extra liquid if needed.
- Sprinkle in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning and stir to combine.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken stock. Stir and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to create a delicious sauce.
- Stir in the heavy cream to create a creamy tomato sauce and simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir the ingredients well and let them all cook together for 2 minutes.
- Serve this delicious dish hot topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil or fresh parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Let the ground turkey cook undisturbed for a few minutes before stirring it. This gives it the best browning and flavor!
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta. I only cook mine to al dente since it will soften up more with the sauce in the last few minutes.
- Always reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce later if it gets too thick. It helps with reheating leftovers too!
- If the sauce looks too runny, cover it and continue simmering so that it thickens and reduces.
- My preference is freshly grated cheese over pre-shredded cheese! I find that fresh cheese has the best flavor and melts better too.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
