Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli

Ready to whip up something super tasty that won’t have you feeling guilty? Here is our Ground Turkey and Broccoli Pasta. It’s like hitting the jackpot if you’re trying to keep things light and healthy without skimping on flavor.

It’s a simple dish that combines the pasta of your choice with lean ground turkey and broccoli, making it packed with protein and vitamins. We flavor it with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and a dash of red chili flakes, then top it off with parmesan cheese for that perfect cheesy touch.

We have some great healthy and quick weeknight pasta dinners. Our Mediterranean Pasta, Pesto Chicken Pasta, Pomodoro Pasta, and Pasta e Pirelli are just a few from a very long list.

This ground turkey pasta is for those busy nights when you want something quick, easy and satisfying but still keeping health in mind. It’s like your favorite comfort food got a healthy makeover. It’s a breeze to make with any choice of your pasta and some goodness of good old broccoli.

You Will Love this Ground Turkey Pasta For

• Health Meets Flavor: It combines nutritious ingredients without compromising on taste. The lean ground turkey is a high-protein, low-fat alternative to beef, making it a great choice for health-conscious foodies. Broccoli adds a dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all while keeping the dish vibrant and flavorful.
• Quick and Easy: This recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It’s straightforward, with minimal prep and cook time, meaning you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. It’s perfect for anyone looking for an easy weeknight dinner.
• Family-Friendly: This pasta dish is loved by both adults and kids. It’s a fantastic way to sneak some extra veggies into a meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients Needed

• Pasta: We use shells but feel free to use other shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle.
• Olive Oil: You can sub it with butter if not too concerned about keeping it healthy.
• Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey keeps the dish lighter and healthier. If you’re looking for a bit more juiciness, choose ground turkey with a slightly higher fat content.
• Garlic: Important aromatic. Finely chopped.
• Red Chili Flakes: Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
• Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets are ideal. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and incorporates more smoothly into the dish than pre-grated options.
• Salt: My favorite seasoning of all.

Ground Turkey and Broccoli Pasta Recipe

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water for later.

2. Brown the Turkey: In a large skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Stir in the chopped garlic, salt, and red chili flakes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, letting the garlic become fragrant.

3. Add the Broccoli: Mix the broccoli florets in with the turkey. Cover and let it cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender but still vibrant.

4. Combine Pasta and Turkey Mixture: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta evenly.

5. Finish with Cheese: Remove from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese on the side for garnish.

Alpana’s Tips

• Prep Ahead: Chop your garlic and broccoli, grate your parmesan, and have all your ingredients ready before you start cooking. This makes the cooking process smoother and quicker.
• Pasta Water Magic: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water before draining. The starchy water is key to making silky sauce that clings to the pasta and ingredients beautifully.
• Perfectly Cooked Broccoli: If you prefer your broccoli to be more on the tender side, you can cook it for a longer time till its tender to your desired taste.
• Leftovers: This dish reheats well for leftovers. You may need to add a splash of water or broth when reheating to bring back the creamy consistency of the sauce.

Possible Variations

Different Proteins: Swap ground turkey for ground chicken, beef, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian option.

Pasta Choices: Feel free to use any pasta shape you like or have on hand. Whole grain pasta is great for added fiber, while gluten-free options can also be used.

Veggie Swap: Not a fan of broccoli? Try using spinach, kale, bell peppers, or asparagus for your green element. You can also add more vegetables to the mix for a more colorful and nutrient-packed dish.

Add Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley, basil, or thyme can add a fresh, aromatic finish to the dish.

Creamy Version: For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream after adding the pasta. This will create a richer, more indulgent dish.

Hearty and healthy, that’s our Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe for you. This meal is all about enjoying the little things, like a good dinner that didn’t take all night to make.

So make this quick meal in no time, grab a plate, scoop up a big helping, and dig in!!

Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

More great pasta dishes to try:
Gigi Hadid Pasta
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Orecchiette with Sausage
Espagueti Verde
Johnny Marzetti
Pasta alla Norcina
Rasta Pasta

Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Looking for a guilt-free and flavorful meal? Our Ground Turkey and Broccoli Pasta is packed with protein and vitamins, perfect for a quick and healthy dinner.

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Ingredients

• 8oz shell pasta (or you can use any shape of your choice)
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and keep it aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula, until its browned all over. Add chopped garlic, salt, red chili flakes and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add broccoli florets, mix well. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add pasta along with reserved pasta water and cook for a couple of minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in grated parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Yield 4 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 504Total Fat 25gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 129mgSodium 538mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 6gSugar 3gProtein 42g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.