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Ground Turkey and Pasta Recipe for Simple Meal Prep


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  • Author: Carter Lily

Description

This cheesy ground turkey pasta is a simple, comforting meal made with tender pasta, seasoned ground turkey, and a creamy tomato-based sauce finished with melted mozzarella and cheddar. It’s well suited for meal prep, reheats smoothly, and works perfectly for busy weeknights using everyday ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta, or pasta of choice

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 large yellow onion, diced

  • 1 lb ground turkey

  • 2 teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 cup half and half

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

  • Red chili flakes, to garnish (optional)


Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, using at least 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook the pasta 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the boiling pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.

  • Add the ground turkey and cook over medium to medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces, until fully cooked through.

  • Season the turkey with half of the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.

  • Sprinkle the flour over the turkey mixture and stir well to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

  • Add the cooked pasta to the pan and pour in the half-and-half. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce begins to thicken.

  • For a thinner sauce, gradually add additional chicken broth or reserved pasta water. For a creamier sauce, add additional half-and-half as needed.

  • Season with the remaining salt and additional black pepper to taste. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the cheddar cheese.

  • Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar over the top. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid until the cheese is fully melted.

 

  • Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and red chili flakes if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Cooking the pasta slightly under al dente helps prevent it from becoming too soft once mixed with the sauce.

  • Stir the flour thoroughly into the turkey before adding liquids to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.

  • Covering the pan while melting the cheese helps it melt evenly and keeps the sauce creamy.

 

  • Leftovers reheat well with a small splash of broth or pasta water to loosen the sauce.