This One Pot Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta is one of my favorite recipes to make on busy weeknights. The sauce has SO much flavor and it all cooks in one pot, which makes clean up super easy. This delicious pasta is a quick and satisfying meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. I personally think it’s the creamy, homemade sauce that makes this recipe stand out.
Ground turkey and onions are sautéed to perfection, creating a savory base that pairs beautifully with the garlic and Italian seasoning. As the pasta cooks directly in the chicken broth, it absorbs all the delicious flavors, making each bite extra tasty.
The creamy sauce is made from scratch and consists of just four simple ingredients: butter, cream, Parmesan cheese and a splash of fresh lemon juice. The lemon adds a citrusy note, while fresh spinach not only enhances the dish’s vibrant color but also packs in a healthy dose of nutrients.
With everything coming together in one pot, clean-up is a breeze, which is one of my favorite things about this One Pot Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta recipe. Enjoy the convenience of a quick, delicious dinner that’s sure to become a household favorite!
INGREDIENTS
- Onion – Red, white or yellow. Use whatever you prefer!
- Ground turkey – I love ground turkey. It’s lean, easy to cook and provides a lot of protein.
- Garlic – This is one ingredient I can’t live without. I always have a jar of minced garlic in the refrigerator because I like to add garlic to a lot of my recipes. You could also finely chop 4-6 garlic cloves for this pasta, if you don’t have minced garlic on hand.
- Italian seasoning, salt and pepper – These classic seasonings add necessary flavor elements to the dish.
- Pasta – I used spiral noodles in today’s recipe, but any short noodle will do. (I.e. penne, bow-tie, elbow, etc.)
- Chicken broth – This is what the pasta cooks in, adding a rich, savory flavor.
- Fresh spinach – Adds a burst of color, freshness, and nutrients, making the dish more wholesome.
- Butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice – These come together to make the most delicious sauce. It doesn’t sounds like much, but each of these ingredients bring so much flavor with it.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Start by adding your cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
Once oil is warm, add the onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until just slightly soft. Push to the side of the pan.
Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Once the turkey is fully cooked, add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to the skillet and mix everything well, including the onion.
Next add the broth and pasta. Stir well.
Turn heat to medium high and bring skillet to a boil. Once it starts bubbling, stir again. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, remove the cover and stir.
Cover again, cook for another 5 more minutes and then remove the lid. (Note: Cooking times will vary based on the type of pasta used. Check a noodle at 15 minutes. It should be done, but if not, add a couple more minutes of cook time with the cover on.)
Once the pasta is cooked, add the butter, heavy cream, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Gently stir everything for a minute or two, until butter is melted and everything is warmed through.
Turn off the heat, add the chopped spinach and gently stir again. Let stand for about five minutes to let the sauce thicken.
Garnish with red pepper flakes or a little extra Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
TIPS & NOTES
Prep Ahead: Chop the onion and spinach in advance to make the cooking process even that much faster.
Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality chicken broth and fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and adds a richer taste to the sauce.
Lemon Juice: The lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor that balances the richness of the sauce. Adjust the amount to your taste – a little more if you like it tangier, or less if you prefer a milder flavor. But don’t skip it! It adds so much to the flavor of the sauce.
Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.
Versatility: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for added flavor and nutrients. You can also substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
Serving Suggestion: Serve the pasta on it’s own, with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
If you love one pot meals as much as I do, be sure to check out my One Pot Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet. Save or pin it for later!
One Pot Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta
This delicious Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta all comes together in one pot. It's made with lean ground turkey and pasta, tossed with fresh spinach and a flavorful, super simple homemade alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or any cooking oil you prefer)
- ½ onion diced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 lb spiral pasta or any short noodle
- 3½ cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- fresh juice from one whole lemon
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
Instructions
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Add oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Once warm, add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes, until slightly soft. Push to the side of the pan.
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Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
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Once turkey is fully cooked, add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to the skillet and mix everything well, including the onion.
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Next add the broth and pasta to the skillet. Gently stir to mix everything.
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Turn heat to medium high and bring skillet to a slight boil. Once boiling, stir again. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes.
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After 10 minutes, remove cover and stir. Cover again and cook for another 5 more minutes. Remove the lid and check the pasta to see if it's done. (Note: Cooking times may vary slightly. Most noodles should be done at 15 minutes, but if not, add a couple more minutes of cook time with the cover on and check again.)
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Once pasta is fully cooked, add the butter, heavy cream, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Gently stir everything for a minute or two, until butter is melted and everything is warmed through.
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Turn off heat, add the chopped spinach and gently stir again. Let stand for 5-10 minutes to let spinach wilt and sauce thicken.
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Garnish with red pepper flakes and enjoy!
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If you could take a quick second to click the stars below and give this recipe a quick rating, it would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance. 🙂
This was so good! The sauce texture was perfect. I used better that bullion for my chicken broth, and instead of spinach I cut up yellow peppers and put them in with the onions. I had to cook a little longer than it said but it was a pretty easy dinner and delicious. I will be making it again!
I’m so glad you liked it! I love the sauce on this one too. And I appreciate the feedback that it took a little longer than noted. I might add a note regarding the cook time. Thank you so much!
I used bow tie pasta instead and unfortunately didn’t have an onion but still turned out great!!
I’m so glad it worked out and that you liked it! And thank you! I really appreciate the rating and comment. 🙂