Description
Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta combines browned lean turkey, tender penne, tomato sauce, half-and-half, and melted cheese in a cozy 30-minute skillet dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- Up to 1 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stopping about 1 minute before al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set it aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Increase the heat slightly and add the ground turkey. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned.
- Season the turkey with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle the flour over the turkey and stir for 1 minute. Slowly add the chicken broth, then stir in the tomato sauce. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until thickened.
- Fold in the cooked penne and half-and-half. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time when needed to loosen the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in half of the mozzarella and cheddar. Top with the remaining cheese, cover for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Garnish with parsley and optional chili flakes before serving.
Notes
- For the smoothest sauce, use freshly shredded cheese and keep the heat low after adding the half-and-half.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Add a splash of milk, broth, or water before reheating to restore the creamy consistency.
- Ground chicken or lean ground beef may replace the ground turkey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 100