Speedy Weeknight Ground Turkey Pasta
This Speedy Weeknight Ground Turkey Pasta recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. It features lean ground turkey cooked in a flavorful marinara sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey lean or regular
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24-ounce, your favorite brand!
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces pasta penne, rotini, or spaghetti work great
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water optional, but recommended
- Fresh parsley or basil chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Parmesan cheese grated, for serving
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Brown ground turkey in olive oil in a large skillet, breaking it up and draining any excess fat.
- Sauté chopped onion with the turkey for 3-5 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce and turkey, tossing to coat. Use reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce when you add the Italian seasoning. You can also sneak in some finely chopped vegetables like carrots or bell peppers with the onion for added nutrients.