Description

This Ground Turkey Veggie Pasta is a quick dinner, easy recipe, and healthy dinner idea packed with lean ground turkey, tender pasta, fresh spinach, asparagus, juicy tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan. It is one of those simple food ideas that works for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, family dinner ideas, or a balanced comfort meal when you want pasta with plenty of protein and vegetables.

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey

12 ounces penne pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1 1/2 cups asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces

3 cups fresh spinach

1 cup crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart until no longer pink.

3. Season the turkey with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

4. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

5. Add the cherry tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens slightly.

6. Stir in the asparagus and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tender-crisp.

7. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.

8. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until coated in sauce.

9. Stir in Parmesan cheese and add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.

10. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Notes

Use short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, shells, or rigatoni so the sauce, turkey, and vegetables cling to every bite.

Do not overcook the asparagus; it should stay bright green and slightly crisp for the best texture.

Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to make the sauce glossy without watering down the flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American Italian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 455
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 640mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 78mg

Keywords: ground turkey veggie pasta, ground turkey pasta, healthy dinner idea, quick dinner, easy recipe, dinner ideas, pasta with vegetables, meal prep pasta