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
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12 oz penne pasta, or pasta of choice
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2 tablespoon olive oil
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1 large yellow onion, diced
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1 lb ground turkey
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2 teaspoon salt, divided
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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5 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
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2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
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1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
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1 cup half and half
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Fresh parsley, to garnish
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Red chili flakes, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
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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.
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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.
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Add the ground turkey and cook over medium to medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces, until fully cooked through.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For a thinner sauce, gradually add additional chicken broth or reserved pasta water. For a creamier sauce, add additional half-and-half as needed.
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Season with the remaining salt and additional black pepper to taste. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the cheddar cheese.
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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.
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Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and red chili flakes if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
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Cooking the pasta slightly under al dente helps prevent it from becoming too soft once mixed with the sauce.
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Stir the flour thoroughly into the turkey before adding liquids to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.
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Covering the pan while melting the cheese helps it melt evenly and keeps the sauce creamy.
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Leftovers reheat well with a small splash of broth or pasta water to loosen the sauce.