Ground Turkey Pasta

This ground turkey pasta recipe makes a big batch of thick, savory sauce. You’ll feel lucky if there are any leftovers!

This ground turkey pasta is big, bold and built to feed a crowd—or at least, leave you with solid leftovers. The sauce begins with eight cloves of garlic, green pepper and onion for a base that smells like your kitchen means business. Then, we add three forms of tomatoes (diced, sauced, and paste) and simmer the sauce into a thick, brick-red tangle that coats every noodle. The ground turkey takes on all that flavor without weighing the dish down, and sugar rounds out the acidity.

What really makes this pasta sauce worth making at home is how much control you have. Want it herbier? Toss in more basil. Need it richer? Grate extra Parmesan on top—and don’t be shy about it. Boil a whole pot of pasta, heap on the sauce, and you’ve got a pasta dinner that’s warm, filling and miles better than anything from a jar. This ground turkey pasta recipe isn’t flashy, it’s just solid cooking. Don’t forget that it’s satisfying and easily scalable, too, depending on how many people are at your table.

Ground Turkey Pasta Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Ground turkey
• Green pepper
• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Italian diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Sugar
• Italian seasoning
• Fresh basil
• Dried marjoram
• Salt
• Spiral pasta
• Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1: Cook the turkey and vegetables

In a Dutch oven or large saucepot, heat the oil over medium heat. Cook the ground turkey, chopped green pepper and onion until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute longer. Drain, if necessary.

Step 2: Simmer the sauce

Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, basil, marjoram and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, 35 to 40 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Use San Marzano tomatoes if you’ve got them.

Step 3: Cook the pasta and serve

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions; drain. Serve the sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil, if desired.

How to Store Ground Turkey Pasta

Let any leftover ground turkey pasta cool completely, then transfer it to a food storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze the sauce and pasta separately in airtight food storage containers for up to three months.

Ground Turkey Pasta Tips

Can I make ground turkey pasta with a different type of pasta?

Yes, ground turkey pasta works well with many pasta shapes. Swap in penne, rigatoni or shells for the spiral pasta if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to cook the pasta according to the package directions so it doesn’t overcook when paired with the sauce.

Can I reduce the sugar in ground turkey pasta?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar in ground turkey pasta or leave it out entirely. The sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, but the recipe still turns out well without it, especially if your canned tomatoes are already sweet.

What side dishes go well with ground turkey pasta?

The best side dishes for ground turkey pasta include garlic bread, Caesar salad or Parmesan-roasted broccoli. A cup of lentil soup or minestrone soup could also help round out the meal.

Test Kitchen Approved