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Creamy ground turkey spinach pasta served in a bowl

Creamy Ground Turkey Spinach Pasta

This creamy ground turkey spinach pasta combines lean ground turkey, baby spinach, and a silky Parmesan-cream sauce, making it a comforting and quick family-friendly meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
  • 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 4 cups baby spinach, packed
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half Use 2% or whole half-and-half for a richer sauce.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Can be swapped for Pecorino Romano.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt Salt the pasta water well.
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the penne and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into pieces, until browned and no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half. Stir and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add the cooked penne, packed baby spinach, and crushed red pepper flakes. Fold gently until the spinach wilts.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 900mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

For storage, refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Add a splash of chicken broth when reheating the pasta. For a dairy-free option, use a dairy-free creamer and nutritional yeast.

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