Description
This creamy ground turkey pasta is a perfect balance of comfort, health, and speed. Lean ground turkey, tender pasta, and a rich tomato-cream sauce come together in just 30 minutes for a satisfying and nourishing weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (16 oz) rigatoni or penne pasta
- 1 lb (16 oz) ground turkey (93/7 lean recommended)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach (about 4 large handfuls)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Brown the Turkey: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, break it apart, and cook for 5–7 minutes until no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Drain excess liquid.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and oregano, and cook for 1 more minute.
- Make the Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes and broth, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Lower the heat, stir in cream cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the cooked pasta and spinach; stir until the spinach wilts. Adjust the sauce with reserved pasta water and season to taste.
Notes
Substitute ground chicken if desired. For a lighter version, replace cream cheese with Neufchâtel, Greek yogurt, or dairy-free alternatives.
Extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli can be added for more nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cup
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: ground turkey pasta, creamy pasta, healthy weeknight dinner, 30-minute meal, quick turkey pasta