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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Ground Turkey Pasta

    Last Published: Aug 23, 2021 · by Seanna Borrows · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · 15 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin This!
    Image of Ground Turkey Pasta with grated parmesan cheese on white plate.

    Ground Turkey Pasta - Here is a delicious Ground Turkey Recipe for an easy weeknight dinner your family will love. This tasty recipe is made with ground turkey, tangy tomato, Italian Seasoning for that little kick of spice, and finished with butter and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. So good.

    Image of Ground Turkey Pasta with grated parmesan cheese on white plate with fork and spoon.
    Jump to:
    • Here's What You Need
    • Substitutions
    • How to Make It
    • Ground Turkey FAQs
    • Meal Prep Idea
    • More Pasta Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Substitutions.
    • Meal Prep Suggestion.
    • 💬 Community

    You can have this ground turkey pasta recipe on the table in 30 minutes or less in just a few easy steps. So get a big pot of salty water boiling and ready for the pasta and let's get to work. Because by the time your finished making the pasta, this tasty meat sauce will be ready to eat.

    Here's What You Need

    Photo of Individual Ingredients.
    • 4 Tablespoon Salted Butter, Divided.
    • 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ¼ Cup Yellow Onion, Diced.
    • 1 Clove Garlic, Minced.
    • 1 Lb Ground Turkey
    • 1 Large Tomato, Diced. (Or Substitute: 1 Small Can Diced Tomatoes)
    • 1 Teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • 1 Lb Pasta, Cooked
    • ½ Cup Freshly Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (or regular Grated Parmesan)

    Substitutions

    Bonus: This meat sauce recipe will work with these 5 other ground proteins. Just swap out the ground turkey for:

    • Beef
    • Bison
    • Lamb
    • Chicken
    • Italian Sausage or Pork

    For more delicious meat sauce recipes, check out our Oma's Spaghetti or Bison Pasta recipes that use these other proteins.

    How to Make It

    This tasty Ground Turkey Pasta is super easy to make in just a few simple steps. We'll show you how.

    Process collage showing 4 steps of Ground Bison Pasta Recipe.

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    1. First, Over medium heat, sauté Diced Onion and Minced Garlic in 1 Tablespoon Salted Butter and 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil until just translucent.
    2. Add Ground Turkey and brown it in the pan with the Onions and Garlic, breaking it up as it cooks and seasoning with Salt and Pepper as you go. Once the Ground Turkey is browned, add Diced Tomatoes, Italian Seasonings, and 3 Tablespoons of Butter.

      Tasty Tip: Be sure to liberally season the Ground Turkey with salt while you are browning it in the pan at each stage of the cooking process. Begin by sprinkling 1 Teaspoon of Salt over the raw meat when you add it to the pan. Then as you break up the meat and it begins to brown, sprinkle on a little more salt. Finally, once the meat has browned, do a taste test. The cooked Ground Turkey should be tasty at this point. If it's bland, add a little more salt.
    3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow time for the flavors to marry together.
    4. Toss in cooked pasta, thoroughly coating the pasta with the delicious sauce.
    5. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and serve immediately.
    Image of Ground Turkey Pasta with grated parmesan cheese on white plate with fork and spoon.

    Ground Turkey FAQs

    What to make with ground turkey?

    Ground turkey is great substitution in any recipe where you would use ground beef.

    How do you add flavor to ground turkey?

    Ground Turkey is a low fat protein that will require a little more seasoning than a protein that is higher in fat. Fat equals flavor, so low fat proteins like ground turkey will need some extra seasonings to boost its flavor. Try adding flavor boosting seasonings like Salt, Italian Seasoning, Sage, or Thyme. If you like hot flavors, try adding some Sriracha, or Hot Chili Sauce.

    Meal Prep Idea

    Meal Prep Suggestion. Ground Turkey Pasta freezes easily in restaurant storage containers and makes a great meal prep idea. Freeze your leftovers!

    Meal prep container of Ground Bison Pasta.
    Image of Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe with grated parmesan cheese.

    There you have it. Delicious Ground Turkey Pasta on the table in 30 minutes or less with just a few easy steps. It's as easy as that! We hope you enjoy our super simple, super tasty recipe for an easy weeknight dinner in no time! Try it and let us know how you like it. We'd love to hear from you!

    xo ~ Seanna

    More Pasta Recipes

    Don't miss our other pasta recipes! Be sure to check out our Classic Carbonara it's another easy weeknight dinner you can make in under 30 minutes!

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    • Easy weeknight dinner of Ground Bison Pasta made with rotini pictured in a white bowl, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
      Ground Bison Pasta Recipe

    📖 Recipe

    Image of Ground Turkey Pasta with grated parmesan cheese on white plate with fork and spoon.

    Easy Ground Turkey Pasta

    Easy Ground Turkey Pasta - Here is a delicious Ground Turkey Recipe for an easy weeknight dinner your family will love. This tasty recipe is made with ground turkey, tangy tomato, Italian Seasoning for that little kick of spice, and finished with butter and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. So good!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe!Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 570kcal
    Author: Seanna Borrows

    Equipment

    • Le Creuset pan with glass lid
    • wooden spoon
    • chefs knife

    Ingredients 

    • 4 Tablespoons Salted Butter Divided.
    • 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ¼ Cup Yellow Onion Diced.
    • 1 Clove Garlic Minced.
    • 1 Lb Ground Turkey
    • 1 Large Tomato Or Substitute: 1 Small Can Diced Tomatoes
    • 1 Teaspoon Table Salt
    • ¼ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • 1 Lb Pasta Cooked.
    • ½ Cup Freshly Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or regular Grated Parmesan
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    Instructions

    • Sauté Onion and Garlic.  
      Over medium heat, sauté diced onion and minced garlic in a pan with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
    • Brown Turkey and Add Tomatoes.
      Add Ground Turkey to the pan with the onions and garlic, and brown it, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper as you go.  Once the ground turkey has browned and is tasty, add diced tomatoes, Italian seasonings.
    • Simmer.  
      Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
    • Finish.
      Finish the sauce by adding the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, one at a time, as you stir each into the sauce.
    • Add Parmesan and Serve over Pasta.  
      Toss with freshly grated parmesan and serve immediately over cooked pasta.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    Substitutions.

    This tasty meat sauce recipe will work with these 5 other ground proteins.  Just swap out the ground turkey for beef, bison, lamb, chicken, Italian sausage or pork.

    Meal Prep Suggestion.

    Ground Turkey Pasta freezes easily and makes a great meal prep idea.  Divide the prepared recipe up into 4-6 restaurant storage containers and freeze them for an easy weeknight dinner or a week of lunches.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 1mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @SeannasKitchen and tag #seannaskitchen!

    Did you love this recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Seanna's Kitchen and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe to my Newsletter for ALL the latest recipes! We'd love to hear from you!

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    Comments

      5 from 7 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Deanna says

      September 25, 2023 at 7:05 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a staple in our house!!

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows says

        September 25, 2023 at 7:39 pm

        That's so great to hear Deanna! Thanks so much for letting me know!

        Reply
    2. Mandi says

      October 13, 2022 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious and so simple to prepare. I used a can of diced tomatoes and added an additional tomato for more sauce. My only suggestion is to use less pasta or add more meat and tomato, as the amount of sauce was a little skimpy for one pound of pasta for my taste.

      Reply
      • Seanna says

        October 13, 2022 at 12:01 pm

        Thanks Mandi! I am so happy you liked it. And I agree, more sauce would be great. 😊

        Reply
    3. Jere Cassidy says

      August 26, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      I am trying to use more ground turkey instead of ground beef so I can't wait to give this recipe a try.

      Reply
      • Seanna says

        August 26, 2021 at 4:57 pm

        Thanks Jere! Me, too. I'm using more ground turkey and ground bison.

        Reply
        • Deanna says

          October 25, 2021 at 10:09 am

          Do I drain the diced tomatoes or add them with the liquid?

          Reply
          • Seanna says

            October 25, 2021 at 11:57 am

            Hey Deanna, Add the tomatoes with the liquid. The tomato juice helps make a nice sauce. 😊

            Reply
    4. Luca says

      August 26, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like a great meal and will send it soon to my friends to try it out! It is delicious!

      Reply
      • Seanna says

        August 26, 2021 at 4:58 pm

        Thanks so much! Really appreciate it!

        Reply
    5. Audrey says

      August 25, 2021 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      This looks perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. I love using ground turkey because it so much healthier.

      Reply
      • Seanna says

        August 26, 2021 at 7:22 am

        Thank you! We also love it with Ground Bison.

        Reply
    6. Audrey says

      August 25, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Can't wait to try this one out!!

      Reply
    7. Russ Borrows says

      August 23, 2021 at 4:55 pm

      5 stars
      This was a great meal. Quick and delicious. Nice amount of spice too!

      Reply
      • Seanna says

        August 23, 2021 at 5:00 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    Photo of Seanna Borrows of Seanna's Kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Seanna!

    Welcome to my kitchen! I'm a Midwestern home cook and food blogger, sharing simple, tasty, family-friendly recipes.
    Good food…made with love…for the people you love…Now, that's a great recipe!

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