This one pot creamy corn and turkey pasta is an easy weeknight dinner made with lean ground turkey, sweet corn, pasta, and fresh spinach tossed in a rich, creamy sauce. Everything cooks together in one pan, which means less cleanup and a simple meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
If you enjoy easy, one-pot ground turkey pasta dinners like this, you might also love my Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta, another simple weeknight dinner made with lean turkey and a delicious, creamy sauce.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE POT GROUND TURKEY PASTA
Easy cleanup – Everything cooks in a single skillet — pasta included! If you enjoy creamy, one-pot pasta dinners like this, you might also love my One Pot Tuscan Ground Turkey Pasta, another easy weeknight meal packed with garlic, spinach, white beans and Italian-inspired flavors.
Protein-packed – Ground turkey keeps it hearty and filling while adding protein to the dish. And if you want even more protein, try using my favorite brand of protein pasta Brami. (This isn’t sponsored. I just love their pasta and pretty much always use it for my pasta recipes now. It tastes amazing and adds more protein and fiber than regular pasta.)
Family-friendly – Kids and adults both love the mild, creamy flavor (and the hidden spinach, which you can’t even taste!). However, if you have super picky eaters, you can leave out the bell pepper and spinach and it will be just as delicious.
Customizable – This Creamy Ground Turkey & Corn Pasta is super easy to customize. Toss in extra veggies, spice it up, or swap in your favorite pasta shape.
If you’re looking for more easy meals like this, check out my ground turkey pasta recipes roundup with ten of our family’s favorites.
Creamy Corn Pasta with Ground Turkey
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3½ cups chicken broth
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1½ cups corn fresh, canned or frozen
- 1 cup fresh spinach roughly chopped
Seasonings:
- 1 tbsp minced garlic or about 3 cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Optional topping:
- fresh basil
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet, heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the bell pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for just another minute or two.
- Pour in the broth, then stir in the dry pasta and corn. Gently mix everything together.
- Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a light boil. Once boiling, stir, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. (Tip: To save on prep time, chop your spinach and grate the cheese while the pasta is cooking.)
- Remove the lid, stir well, then cover again and cook for another 5 minutes. Check the pasta for doneness. If needed, cook for 2–3 more minutes, uncovered. (Pasta is done when it's tender and most of the broth is absorbed.)
- Once the pasta is done, reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach starts to wilt and the sauce is warm and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed. If using, add a squeeze of lemon and fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
- **If you make this and have a quick second to give it a rating, I would greatly appreciate it! Just scroll down to the very bottom of the page until you see a row of stars and click on how many you give this recipe. Thank you so much for your support! I hope you enjoy this pasta as much as we do. :)
Nutrition
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Ground turkey – Lean and full of protein, it makes this skillet hearty without feeling too heavy.
- Pasta – I like using short pasta. Rotini, bow-tie and macaroni noodles all work great.
- Olive oil – Just a little to get the turkey browned and everything started.
- Chicken broth – Adds flavor and helps cook the pasta in the skillet.
- Bell pepper – Adds a pop of color and a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the corn.
- Spinach – Wilts nicely into the dish for a little extra green and a nutrient boost.
- Corn – Sweet, juicy corn kernels are the star of the show — they add flavor, texture, and a touch of natural sweetness. You can use fresh, canned or frozen — whatever your preference is.
- Seasonings – Garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper give this pasta the BEST flavor.
- Heavy cream – Makes the sauce ultra rich and creamy without needing a roux or flour.
- Butter – Adds another layer of richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese – For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts more smoothly than the pre-shredded kind, which often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
HOW TO MAKE ONE POT GROUND TURKEY PASTA
In a large deep skillet, heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add the bell pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for just another minute or two.
Pour in the broth, then stir in the dry pasta and corn. Gently mix everything together.
Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a light boil. Once boiling, stir, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. (Tip: To save on prep time, chop your spinach and grate the cheese while the pasta is cooking.)
Remove the lid, stir well, then cover again and cook for another 5 minutes. Check the pasta for doneness. If needed, cook for 2–3 more minutes, uncovered. (Pasta is done when it’s tender and most of the broth is absorbed.)
Once the pasta is done, reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach starts to wilt and the sauce is warm and creamy.
Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed. If using, add a squeeze of lemon and fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
TIPS FOR THE BEST GROUND TURKEY PASTA
Don’t skip the stir halfway through cooking the pasta — it helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
Add more broth if needed. If the pasta starts to look dry before it’s fully cooked, just splash in a little extra broth or water.
Frozen corn works great. No need to thaw — just toss it in frozen during the cooking process.
Want it spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
Swap the spinach for kale, arugula, or even frozen peas if that’s what you have on hand.
STORAGE & REHEATING
Store any leftover creamy corn and turkey pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Pasta dishes made with cooked meat and sauce generally keep well for this amount of time when properly refrigerated.
Because the sauce is creamy, it may thicken slightly as it sits in the fridge. When reheating, you can add a splash of milk, cream, or broth to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy texture.
Microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through.
FAQ’s
No. The pasta cooks right in the same pan with the sauce ingredients. This not only saves time and dishes but also allows the pasta to absorb more flavor as it cooks.
Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, shells, or bowtie pasta work best because they hold the creamy sauce well and cook evenly in a one-pot recipe.
Absolutely. Ground chicken can be used in place of ground turkey and will give you a very similar flavor and texture in this creamy pasta dish.
MORE ONE-POT GROUND TURKEY PASTA RECIPES
If you love easy one-pot ground turkey pasta dinners, here are a few more recipes to try:
- Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta – a simple and comforting pasta with spinach and a delicious, creamy sauce.
- One Pot Tuscan Ground Turkey Pasta – a creamy pasta packed with garlic, spinach, and Italian-inspired flavors.
- One Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta with Ground Turkey – a bold and flavorful pasta dinner with Cajun seasoning and a creamy sauce.
- Creamy Ground Turkey Tortellini Skillet – a cozy one-pan dinner made with tender tortellini and ground turkey.
- One Pot Cheesy Taco Orzo Skillet – a fun taco-inspired pasta dish made with ground turkey and cheesy orzo.
So easy to make and delicious. Thank you for sharing
I’m so glad you like it! Thank you so much for taking the time to share that and rate the recipe! I appreciate it so much. :)
This was so stupidly good ESPECIALLY with the lemon and basil. Light and really flavorful and supremely easy to make. mwuah mwuah mwuah. kisses on the hands that made this recipe
That makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad you liked it so much. Thank you for taking the time to come back and rate the recipe!