Description
A quick, healthy, and flavorful Ground Turkey Veggie Pasta perfect for busy weeknights. Combining lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and tender pasta, this nutritious one-pot meal comes together in under 30 minutes, delivering balanced nutrition and savory satisfaction with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
Pasta
- 8 oz short pasta (penne or rotini)
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Seasonings & Oils
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Dice the bell peppers, zucchini, and onion and mince the garlic to ensure even cooking alongside the turkey.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Brown the Ground Turkey: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook 5-7 minutes until no longer pink.
- Sauté the Veggies: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with turkey. Cook until fragrant, then stir in bell peppers and zucchini. Sauté until veggies are tender but still slightly crisp.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in diced tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss together. If sauce is too dry, gradually stir in reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Give a final toss, serve warm, and enjoy your nutritious meal.
Notes
- Use fresh veggies and good-quality ground turkey for best flavor.
- Don’t overcook veggies; keep them slightly crisp for texture.
- Reserve pasta water to help bind sauce and pasta smoothly.
- Season gradually and taste to avoid overpowering flavors.
- Brown turkey well for added savory depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: ground turkey pasta, healthy dinner, quick pasta recipe, lean protein pasta, veggie pasta, weeknight meal