Ground Turkey Spinach Pasta: The Ultimate Healthy Weeknight Dinner
This flavorful and nutritious pasta dish combines lean ground turkey, fresh spinach, and vibrant Mediterranean ingredients for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz penne, rigatoni, or fusilli pasta whole wheat adds fiber; gluten-free works
- 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking
Ground Turkey
- 1.5 lbs lean ground turkey (93/7 blend) substitute with ground chicken or lean beef
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach frozen spinach works—thaw and squeeze dry
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 large yellow onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or mix of basil, oregano, thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust for heat
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes with juices 14.5 oz
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth vegetable broth for vegetarian
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste concentrated umami depth
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup to balance acidity
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 zest of 1 lemon for brightness
Additional ingredients
- to taste Sun-dried tomatoes for intense flavor
- to taste Kalamata olives for Mediterranean flair
- to taste Pine nuts for crunch
- to taste Fresh mozzarella pearls
- to taste Extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté diced onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add ground turkey, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; cook until browned.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, honey, lemon zest, and chopped basil; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Mix in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts; cook until spinach wilts. Toss with cooked pasta, Parmesan, and mozzarella pearls before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.