Healthy and easy to make, this Ground Turkey Pasta dish is a staple for weeknight dinners! It's ready in less than 30 minutes and includes hearty and flavorful ingredients that will please the whole family.
Quick, simple, and lean, this dish uses delicious ground turkey to create a fantastic and filling dinner. Amazing for a quick dinner, meal prep, and more!
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🩵 About This Recipe
This ground turkey pasta recipe is one of my weeknight go-to meals, and here's why! 👩🏻🍳
- This recipe is such an easy weeknight dinner, yet I always get big smiles when I tell the kids we are having this for dinner.
- It doesn't take much time or much brain-power to make this. I confess that I'm often a little fried at the end of the workday, and I really don't want to undertake a big project to get dinner on the table!
- This recipe is a complete dinner all in one, with the turkey, pasta, and broccoli. Sometimes I serve another vegetable along with it, or I make a quick side salad, but most of the time I just serve it all by itself!
- This dinner isn't full of empty calories! The turkey adds a lean protein and the broccoli lends green-veggie nutrition. Use a whole wheat pasta (or fiber-enriched pasta) to minimize empty carbs.
- The basil in this dish provides nutritional and medicinal benefits! Basil is actually rich in antioxidants and certain vitamins and minerals, and even has antibacterial properties!
If you don't usually have fresh basil handy, I recommend buying a large bunch of basil from the store. You should then have plenty to make this recipe, and you can use any remaining leaves to make my broccoli pesto sauce or use them as toppings on my easy pan pizza.
I like to keep a couple of 1 pound packages of ground lean turkey (or other extra lean ground meat) in my freezer because they are great to have on hand for whipping up quick dinners.
Very lean ground meats are good choices because the minimal amount of fat means you don't have to deal with all that messy spattering while you are cooking. Ground turkey is a healthier option than ground beef, but either work well in this recipe. (Ground turkey fans should also check out my Honey Garlic Ground Turkey Bowls!!)
What readers are saying...
I made this for the first time after a friend suggested it. Wow! I loved it! An easy dish with great flavor!
- Jen
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- 1 box of pasta - I like to use spiral pasta, but you can use your favorite.
- broccoli florets - cut these into bite-sized pieces.
- olive oil - you don't need a lot; I often use even less than I list in the recipe.
- ground turkey - I like to buy organic.
- paprika - adds a great mild earthy flavor!
- crushed red pepper flakes - just a little kick! You can skip this if desired.
- minced garlic - you can skip this in a pinch.
- salt - enhances and brings out all the flavors.
- fresh basil - it's possible to substitute dried if you don't have fresh handy.
- Parmesan cheese - use store-bought grated or grate your own.
🔪 Let's Make Ground Turkey Pasta!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Cook Pasta and Broccoli
Cook pasta according to box directions. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Then drain the pasta and broccoli, return to the pot, and set aside.
Cook Turkey
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the turkey, paprika, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt.
Finish Turkey
Brown the ground turkey while breaking it up and combining it with the spices.
Combine Ingredients
Add the turkey mixture, the remaining olive oil, and the basil into the pot with the cooked pasta. Mix well to combine. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with more fresh basil or fresh parsley.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use a whole grain pasta for extra fiber and nutrition.
- You can reduce the amount of olive oil for an even leaner meal. Use ½ tablespoon for browning the ground turkey and then only ½ additional tablespoon later in the recipe.
- Once you get the pasta into to boiling water, start browning your turkey. That is the best way to get dinner on the table as quickly as possible!
- Use jarred minced garlic instead of fresh. It's just as good in this dish and saves you the step of mincing the garlic yourself.
- You can buy bags of pre-washed fresh broccoli florets. This will save you time in cutting and separating the broccoli. I find that sometimes there are large florets, however, so I just look through and cut a few of them here and there to make sure they are all around the same bite-sized dimensions.
- I usually reserve the Parmesan cheese for my family to sprinkle on themselves, but you can certainly just add it in ahead of time by combining it with the rest of the ingredients in the last step.
❔ FAQs
Absolutely! Leftover turkey breast or even dark meat instead of ground turkey will be delicious. If you are using leftover cooked turkey, simply chop it into small pieces. Then, after you heat the olive oil in the skillet, add the garlic and other spices and sauté until the garlic start to brown. At that point, add the turkey into the skillet and continue to sauté until it warms through.
I used cellentani pasta because I like the spiral shape, but you can use any pasta in this dish. Rotini, fusilli, and macaroni work well. You can also use penne, gemelli, or mini shells. There are over 600 types of pasta shapes to choose from! For this dish, I recommend pasta shapes that aren't too small (like orzo) or long and stringy (like spaghetti and fettuccine).
Fresh herbs are always best! I don't personally like using dried basil unless I have no other choice. The flavor is not very good and so, if I don't have fresh, I usually just choose to go without.
However, it can be a little tough to keep basil fresh for long enough to be able to use it in a recipe, especially if you only do your food shopping once a week like I do.
Luckily, there is another option now which is a really good one! Gourmet Garden has a lightly dried basil which has a really good flavor and stays fresh up to 4 weeks in your refrigerator. It's a great alternative!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute different veggies - spinach, green beans, cauliflower, snow peas, corn, etc. Experiment with different combinations and find the one your family loves the best!
- Try different pastas, such as whole wheat, fiber-enriched, and/or different shapes and sizes. If you have young kids, it might be fun to try alphabet pasta!
- Increase the amount of red pepper flakes if you like a little more heat.
- Change up the flavors by using some black pepper for another layer of flavor, or even a touch of chili powder!
- Use extra lean ground beef or ground chicken instead of ground turkey.
- Throw in a (drained) jar of mushrooms to make this dish even more substantial. Or, if you are feeling really ambitious, use 8 ounces of fresh mushrooms, washed and sliced, and cooked until soft.
- Add in some ranch dressing mix (from packet), Italian seasoning, or even seasoned salt (like the kind from Lawry's) for some extra flavor!
- For a cheesier dish, sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top and allow to melt before serving.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
This ground turkey pasta recipe is a complete dinner on its own, but make it go further with a side salad or a steamed veggie like green beans or asparagus for an extra nutritional boost!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Place ground turkey pasta leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months in a sturdy freezer-safe container. The best way is to use a glass container that can go from freezer to fridge to oven. That way you don't need to thaw before reheating.
To reheat, make sure you remove any plastic wrap or non-oven-safe lids. Bake at 375 degrees F until hot, about 40 minutes for refrigerated leftovers or about an hour for frozen.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this ground turkey pasta recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This ground turkey pasta entree doesn't really need a side dish, but if you would like to have something else on the table, a steamed green veggie, or a side salad, or even these Pretzel Bites with Olives and Parmesan are great choices!
If you have a little bit of extra time, these crispy Breaded Green Beans are always one of our favorite recipes for side dishes!
😋 More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
- For a vegetarian one-pot pasta dish, try this Easy One Skillet Cheese Tortellini Recipe, which is a meal my whole family loves!
- Another easy ground turkey recipe is my Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs recipe. I love these as a healthier option to beef-based meatballs.
- For a rather unique yet totally tasty pasta option, try my Bacon and Pumpkin Pasta dish. It's really easy to make, too!
- If you are a fan of ground turkey and pasta, you might also like this One-Pot Turkey Taco Pasta , or this Quick Turkey Spaghetti. Or, this Ground Turkey Alfredo Casserole is a perfect, easy weeknight meal the whole family will love!
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Ground Turkey Broccoli Pasta
⭐ Did you make this recipe? Awesome! I would love to hear from you. Please give it a star rating and review below! 👇
📋 Recipe Card
Easy Ground Turkey Broccoli Pasta Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 box spiral pasta (12-16 oz box)
- 8 ounces broccoli florets (bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 16-20 ounces ground turkey (to substitute leftover cooked turkey, see notes)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli. Drain the broccoli and pasta and return to the pot. Cover and set aside.1 box spiral pasta, 8 ounces broccoli florets
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the turkey, paprika, garlic, red pepper flakes and salt.16-20 ounces ground turkey, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Break the turkey into pieces, while cooking until browned. (see notes)
- Add the turkey mixture, the remaining olive oil, and the fresh basil to the pasta pot⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
- Mix until combined. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when serving (or mix in just prior to serving).¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Notes
Prep Tips:
- You can start browning the turkey as soon as you put the pasta into the boiling water to minimize prep time.
- Using jarred minced garlic is a great shortcut for this recipe.
- Using a bag of pre-washed broccoli florets is another great shortcut. You may need to cut any oversized pieces so they cook evenly.
Variation Suggestions:
- To use leftover cooked turkey, chop it into bite-sized pieces and add it after the garlic and spices have heated and become fragrant. Cook just until warmed through.
- Add extra flavor with a sprinkle of ranch dressing mix, Italian seasoning, or seasoned salt (like Lawry's).
- Toss in cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms for added veggies.
- You can swap the basil for fresh parsley if desired.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a simple side salad and warm bread for a complete meal.
- To brighten the flavors, squeeze a fresh lemon over the top before serving.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a small splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in June 2019, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in March 2026.
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Jen says
We also add fennel to the meat in this recipe - gives it a 'sausage'-like flavor.
Kristin says
Great idea, thanks for the suggestion!
Joseph says
Fresh tasting but soooooo bland. Also this site has way too many ads.
Not bad for a quick healthy meal, but lacks something to really make it memorable. Perhaps a bit of lemon
Kristin says
Hi Joseph, please see the notes section of the recipe card for my suggestions, it says: "My family loves this as it is, but if your family would prefer some extra flavor, amp it up by adding some ranch dressing mix, Italian seasoning, or seasoned salt (like Lawry's)!" I encourage you to try one of these variations or check out some of the suggestions from other readers in the comments!
As far as the ads go, I understand your concern, but please note that I spend MANY hours developing recipes, taking photos, and writing posts to provide free content for my readers. I am happy to do that and I really enjoy it, but even aside from the value of my time and efforts, running a website actually entails some significant financial investment and the ads are a way to help me recoup some of those costs. I appreciate visitors like you who stop by and tolerate the ads, since without you I would not be able to run this site at all! So thank you so much for understanding and for your support!
Jen says
Add some fennel seeds to the meat as it's cooking! Makes the ground turkey taste like sausage!
Leigh says
This was amazing! Exactly what I needed to use my leftover ground turkey and still have a fast, delicious, easy, and healthy dinner. I just threw whatever green veggies I had in my freezer in and it was wonderful. Thanks so much for the awesome recipe!
Kristin says
Yay, so glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Alison says
odd to see so many comments from people who clearly aren't planning on trying it. y'all wasting space here. :] made this SUPER quickly as a last-minute idea for lunch. it was easy to follow so thanks!!! and so quick. I would recommend only using up to 12oz pasta. I used a whole pound bag of it, as maximum recommended, and it proved to be way too much for the amount of everything else here. therefore it did look dry when I stirred it all up. I added one more tbsp of oil afterward and that seems to make up for it. also I couldn't get fresh basil in a hurry, so I used fresh parsley, and included dried basil in the earlier seasonings. end result is a decent lunch, though having the excess pasta is a bit of a downer. otherwise, I'm overall very glad to have found something that worked when I had very little time to work on it. husband will definitely eat it. thank you so much for a filling and nutritious lunch! <3 also we used shredded parmesan instead of grated :]
Kristin says
Great, feedback, thanks, Alison!
Julie Ripper says
Delish! The flavors meld together perfectly!
Kristin says
Oh, so glad you liked it! 🙂 Thanks, Julie!
jp says
Easy to make, and delicious! Family loved it. I added a half jar of warmed Alfredo sauce, and a heated bag of frozen kale (all I had on hand). Will add mushrooms next time. I also added some chopped turkey sausage. There was more than enough for five people.
Kristin says
Those are GREAT ideas! I love that you just used some ingredients you had on hand and created a whole new dish using my recipe as the base. I'm so glad it turned out! Thanks for sharing your fabulous ideas!
Sarah says
Wow! I tried this meal last night for dinner on a whim. My kids loved it so much that I made it a second night in a row! Thank you for sharing this.
Kristin says
That's so awesome to hear! So glad your family likes it! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by to let me know!
Audrey Barker says
I did according to directions without basil. Sort of blah. But—-then I added a pack of dry ranch dressing and wah la! It was decent. Dry Italian would have worked too, but after testing both I went with the Ranch.
Kristin says
That's a great idea! Glad to hear you were able to adapt more to your tastes. This recipe was great for my family particularly when my kids were little - I confess they did like things more toward the bland side. But it's always easier to add in additional seasoning than to take out, so this recipe definitely leave that kind of wiggle room and you made great use of it! Thanks for stopping by and for the great suggestion!
Dianne Zecchino says
I really wanted to like this meal, but unfortunately, found it to be very bland. So disappointed. Even added a Roma tomato, fresh mushrooms,basil from my garden and freshly grated Parma Romano cheese.If I do try this again, I will have to amp it up quite a bit.
Kristin says
I am sorry to hear that Dianne. I'm not sure what could have gone wrong...between the red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and basil, we actually find it to be really flavorful! But this is definitely very customizable, so I hope you are able to find a flavor combo that you like better! Thanks for the feedback and I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
A Fulton says
I love this dish! It easy, speedy and delicious. My husband also loved it! Cooking it again tonight and going to add some spinach for extra nutrition and up the red pepper flakes as we love some heat in our dishes 😉 Thank you for the recipe!
Kristin says
Yay! So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know! 🙂