Ground Turkey Pasta (Easy Recipe)

Whenever I make this ground turkey pasta recipe, everyone in my family is a member of the Clean Plate Club! Tender, delicious pasta is coated in a creamy tomato sauce.

It's packed with lean ground turkey and Italian seasoning and topped with Parmesan cheese for the ultimate finishing touch. As a bonus, this easy dinner recipe comes together in under 30 minutes!

Another huge perk? I love how easy this dish is on your wallet since it uses common pantry ingredients.

This pasta dish is quick, easy, and simple enough for an easy weeknight meal. I like to serve it with garlic bread or a crisp salad for a hearty dinner. 

Ingredients Notes

• Ground Turkey: The protein-packed star of the dish is lean and flavorful. Sometimes, I'll swap it out for lean ground beef for a more savory flavor.
  
• Onion: Makes your sauce taste homemade!
  
• Garlic (fresh and powder): Everything is better with garlic! Adding a few minced garlic cloves and powder transforms even the most boring store-bought pasta sauce. 
  
• Fresh oregano: Oregano is peppery and a little acidic, adding earthy flavors to this dish. 
  
• Dried basil: It brings a fresh taste and adds more flavor to this easy pasta recipe. I also use a little fresh basil as a garnish.
  
• Rotini pasta: This pasta shape picks up the sauce like a dream. But I've also used bow tie pasta, shells, and rigatoni, which all work just as well. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta if you'd like.
  
• Spaghetti sauce. Pick your favorite store-bought jarred sauce for an easy shortcut! Or if you're feeling extra saucy (no pun intended), make your own homemade version.
  
• Chicken broth. Adding chicken broth gives the sauce so much flavor. I use reduced sodium broth to keep this dish on the healthier side.
  
• Parmesan cheese. Everything is better with cheese! Add Parmesan cheese right before serving. You can also sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top for more creaminess.

How to Make Ground Turkey Pasta 

Making this easy ground turkey pasta dish is such a breeze! All you need are a few steps and about 30 minutes. It's so perfect for busy weeknights.

1. COOK. Using a large pot or skillet, cook the ground turkey, onions, and garlic on medium heat until it's browned. It takes around 8 minutes for the turkey to brown. 

2. SEASON. Add the ground turkey and season with dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Then, add the rotini noodles. Stir until it's combined. 

3. ADD. Add the chicken stock and pasta sauce and bring to a boil. 

4. REDUCE HEAT. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook the pasta for 7 to 10 minutes based on the package instructions, stirring occasionally as the sauce thickens.

5. GARNISH & SERVE. Garnish the finished dish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, add salt (I use kosher salt) and pepper to taste, and serve! For a pop of color and heat, I add crushed red pepper flakes.

Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Pasta

This easy ground turkey recipe couldn't be easier to make. Here are some tips to make it truly shine.

• Bulk it up. This recipe is a great way to use leftover veggies in your fridge. I like to toss in anything from bell peppers to mushrooms, carrots, baby spinach, or zucchini. It brings more flavor to this dish.
  
• Spice up the seasoning. Oregano and fresh basil are great places to start, but they don’t have to end there! Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme are great options. And don't forget my tip to sprinkle in a few red pepper flakes for a kick.
  
• Get super cheesy. Freshly grated Parmesan adds a nice, nutty finish to this one-pot meal, but other cheeses work, too. Sharp cheddar, shredded mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, or asiago can take this dish to new heights. Add one, or add them all!
  
• Make it creamy. For an extra-creamy sauce, I add a half a cup of heavy cream to the marinara sauce.
  
• Change up your protein. Any protein works in a pinch if you don’t have ground turkey! Try ground beef or ground pork, meat substitutes (I love adding soy curls), or sausage, changing up the flavors in this dish is as simple. 
  
• Make it boozy. An easy way to transform tomato sauce is by adding red wine! I add half a cup for a slight sweetness and sharp acidity that tastes amazing. 
  
• Dice your veggies finely. If they're too large, they won’t cook at the same rate as your pasta. Don’t add chopped veggies bigger than your rotini pasta. 

How to Store

This ground turkey pasta recipe makes one big pot, so there will be leftovers! Here are my best tips for storing so you can enjoy this tasty dish for meal prep all week.

To Store: Place leftover pasta in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It will last between 3 and 5 days in the refrigerator. I like to divide it into individual serving containers so I can pack them for lunch each day!

To Freeze: Store individual servings in freezer bags and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Squeeze out as much excess air as possible to prevent the dreaded freezer burn.

To Reheat: Reat the pasta on the stovetop over medium-high heat until warm, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a little more sauce if the pasta has dried out.

Note: You might need to add a little extra pasta sauce when reheating if the dish seems too dry.

More Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes

One-Pot Creamy Beef and Shells

One-Pot French Onion Pasta

Beef Stroganoff

One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Chicken Penne Pasta