Ready in just 20 minutes, this healthy Ground Turkey Pasta is protein-packed and made with easy ingredients. With a simple, savory flavor, and gluten-free noodles, it's the perfect dinner recipe for busy weeknights.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 25 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 311 kcals and 34 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Ground Turkey, gluten-free penne pasta, tomato sauce, seasonings, and spinach.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free and gluten-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Lighter, cleaner, and super easy to whip up when you're ina pinch.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
As a busy mom of three, I’m all about fast dinners that actually fuel us, and this easy ground turkey pasta checks every box. It’s made with lean protein, simple gluten-free pantry essentials, and a simple tomato sauce base, making it a go-to ground turkey pasta recipe for hectic weeknights or make-ahead lunches.
I love sneaking in extra veggies (zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers work great!) and keeping the turkey juicy by simmering everything together, no dry meat or watery sauce here. Plus, it packs a punch of protein, which I can appreciate. If getting enough protein feels overwhelming, my 100 Grams of Protein Playbook walks you through simple swaps and meals like this to make it totally doable.
Jump To
💭Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fast: The ground turkey pasta with tomato sauce is on the table in under 25 minutes.
Healthy: Made with lean protein and a super-simple sauce, the pasta can be bumped up with extra veggies, too.
Pantry-based: Most of the ingredients you'll already have on hand in the pantry.
Kid-friendly: Thanks to the simple flavors, this pasta recipe is enjoyed by kids as much as it is by adults.
Ingredients and Substitution
- Pasta: For gluten-free noodles, I'd suggest quinoa noodles or a quinoa and rice blend. I find that they hold up the best for cooking and don’t get mushy. Quinoa noodles are what I use in my dairy-free sausage pasta recipe, too.
- Marinera sauce: Any tomato sauce can work here, so use your favorite.
- Vegan parmesan: In place of parmesan, sprinkle on nutritional yeast when serving.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Below are a few ways to adjust the recipe so that it seems like something new each time you make it.
Seasonings: Add in more of the spices listed or additional ones like fresh basil, cumin, or parsley. Even adding a pesto sauce without pine nuts or cheese can be tasty.
Blush sauce: Lighten the tomato base by mixing in ¼ cup canned coconut milk.
Veggie packed: If you want to stretch the meal further, sauté some peppers or mushrooms with the onions and garlic. Or, add in finely chopped broccoli while simmering.
Protein: Ground chicken, ground beef, or venison can be used in place of ground beef to switch up the flavor and protein of the pasta- just like in this ground chicken soup. Double the batch when you brown it and mix it into this tomato pasta with spinach the next night, too!
How To Make Healthy Ground Turkey Pasta
Step 1: Sauté the onions and garlic in oil until soft, then brown the turkey.
Step 2: Cook the pasta according to package directions.
Step 3: Add the ground turkey and tomato sauce to the pot of noodles.
Step 4: Add in the remaining ingredients and simmer for a couple of minutes to combine.
Expert Tips
Make the pasta your own by adding in zucchini, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, or chicken sausage. It's easy to create something new each time.
Lots of gluten-free pastas become mushy when mixed with sauce; that's why it's important to opt for quinoa noodles, as they tend to hold their shape the best, especially when reheated.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stove over low, adding a splash of water, broth, or more tomato sauce as needed.
Healthy Ground Turkey Pasta FAQs
Yes, you can make ground turkey pasta for meal prep. If you know you're not eating it right away, do not add the noodles to the sauce and cook further. Instead, let everything cool separately and store the pasta with the noodles on the bottom of the container and the sauce on top.
The best gluten-free noodles for most pasta recipes are quinoa noodles. These noodles cook quickly and don't clump when mixed with sauce. Plus, they reheat the next day without becoming mushy.
You can freeze ground turkey pasta sauce, but not the noodles. If freezing the sauce, let it cool fully before storing it in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat it over low-medium heat on the stove. You may want to add a splash of broth if it seems thick.
More Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes
If you tried this Healthy Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Healthy Ground Turkey Pasta
Equipment
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Avocado oil
- 1 jar Tomato sauce 650 mL
- 1 pound Ground turkey
- 1 cup Spinach
- 0.5 cup Chopped onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 3 tablespoons Vegan parmesan or Nutritional yeast
- 1.5 cups Gluten-free penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Sauté the onions and garlic in oil until soft.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Brown the ground turkey with the onions, garlic, and seasonings. Drain any excess grease.
- Add all ingredients together and stir to combine.
- Serve.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby S says
I love that this whips up in 20 minutes, great for sports nights!