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A close-up shot of a white plate filled with creamy ground turkey pasta, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh rosemary sprigs.
Layla

Hearty Ground Turkey and Spinach Pasta

A comforting and healthy weeknight dinner, this ground turkey pasta is packed with flavor from savory herbs, tender spinach, and a rich tomato sauce. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a family-friendly meal you'll make again and again.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 562
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce and Turkey
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 medium Yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 lb Ground turkey 93/7 lean recommended
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes optional, adjust to taste
  • 3/4 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 1 can (28 oz) Crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup Chicken or vegetable broth
  • 5 oz Fresh baby spinach
For the Pasta and Garnish
  • 12 oz Penne pasta or other short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, plus more to taste
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Cutting board

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
    Prepare the Sauce
    1. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
    2. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Use a spoon to break it up into smaller pieces and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
    3. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices.
    4. Add the tomato paste and stir it into the turkey mixture. Cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth, and stir everything together.
    5. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let it gently simmer for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. For a more developed sauce, you can simmer for up to 20 minutes.
    Combine and Serve
    1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water (a few tablespoons at a time) to reach your desired consistency.
    2. Serve the ground turkey pasta immediately, topped with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.

    Notes

    Variations: For a creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end with the spinach. To add more vegetables, feel free to sauté diced carrots and celery with the onion.
    Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day!