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A steaming bowl of easy ground turkey comfort meal, garnished with fresh herbs.

Hearty Ground Turkey and Spinach Pasta Skillet

This one-pan pasta skillet features lean ground turkey, spinach, and macaroni in a rich tomato sauce. It's a quick and easy weeknight meal perfect for the whole family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 crushed tomatoes (28 oz) can
  • 1 tomato sauce (15 oz) can
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni or small pasta (about 2 cups)
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)
  • fresh basil/parsley for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • large skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown the ground turkey for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up and draining any excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened; then stir in minced garlic for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth; stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then bring to a simmer.
  4. Add uncooked pasta, stir to submerge, then cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir in fresh spinach a handful at a time, allowing it to wilt; continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until fully wilted.
  6. Optionally, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top, cover, and cook for 1-2 minutes until melted and bubbly.
  7. Remove from heat, let it rest for a few minutes, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. If you don't have elbow macaroni, any small pasta shape like ditalini or small shells will work well. This dish reheats well and makes for great leftovers. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.