Hey friends!
Looking for a quick and tasty dinner idea? I’ve got you covered!
Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for one-pot ground turkey pasta.
It’s simple, creamy, and you’ll have less mess to clean up!
Perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without all the fuss.
Let’s dive in and get cooking!
Suggestions for Ingredient Substitution
Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken or lean ground beef for similar protein content and texture. Vegetarians can use crumbled tempeh or plant-based ground meat alternatives, adjusting cooking time as needed. For the gluten-free penne pasta, alternatives include rice pasta, chickpea pasta, or spiralized vegetables like zucchini for a low-carb option. Reduce cooking time for vegetable noodles. Nutritional yeast can be replaced with grated Parmesan cheese for a non-vegan version, or use cashew-based vegan Parmesan for a dairy-free alternative. Adjust quantity to taste, as Parmesan is more potent than nutritional yeast. These substitutions maintain the dish’s overall flavor profile while accommodating various dietary preferences and restrictions.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1400
- Protein: 100-120 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 150-180 g
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
- 750 grams ground turkey (approximately 1.6 lbs, 7% fat)
- 1 tablespoon italian herbs blend
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground
- 1 diced onion
- 2 large diced celery sticks
- 1 large diced carrot
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce or tamari (15 ml)
- 10 ounces dried gluten-free penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (or substitute with parmesan)
- 2 1/2 cups chicken or beef broth (600 ml)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (400 grams or 15 oz)
- 2 cups spinach leaves (60 g)
- Red chili flakes and fresh herbs for garnish, optional
Step 1: Cook the Turkey and Vegetables
Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.
Once the oil is simmering, add the ground turkey along with the Italian spice blend and black pepper.
Use a spoon or spatula to break the turkey apart as it cooks.
Cook for about 5 minutes or until the turkey is mostly cooked with almost no pink remaining.
Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic to the pan.
Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the meat is fully browned and the vegetables have softened.
Step 2: Add Vinegar and Prepare for Simmering
Pour in the vinegar, along with soy sauce or tamari if using, and cook for an additional 1 minute to incorporate the flavors.
Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
This step deglazes the pan and adds depth to the dish.
Step 3: Incorporate the Pasta
Add the uncooked penne pasta to the skillet, followed by the crushed or diced tomatoes and stock.
Use the back of a spoon to gently press the turkey mixture into an even layer, ensuring that the pasta is almost completely submerged in the liquid.
This ensures even cooking of the pasta.
Step 4: Simmer and Finish Cooking
Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low to reach a gentle simmer.
Cover the skillet with a fitted lid and let it cook for about 7-8 minutes.
This allows the pasta to cook through and absorb the flavors from the sauce.
Step 5: Add Nutritional Yeast and Spinach
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the lid and stir in nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese.
Turn off the heat and add the spinach to the pan.
Cover with the lid once more for about a minute to allow the spinach to wilt.
After it has wilted, remove the lid and stir to fully integrate the spinach.
Taste the dish and season with additional salt if needed.
Step 6: Serve and Store Leftovers
Serve the pasta dish hot and enjoy your hearty meal.
Any leftovers can be cooled and stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days, making this a great dish for meal prep as well.
