Cheesy Ground Turkey and Pasta Skillet
A quick and hearty one-pan meal featuring lean ground turkey, tender short pasta, and a creamy tomato-cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting dish is ready in 30 minutes and is a hit with both kids and adults.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: High Protein
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 pound Lean Ground Turkey
1 medium Yellow Onio
3 cloves Garlic
1 14.5 ounce can Diced Tomatoes
1 14.5 ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
2 cups Chicken Broth
8 ounces Short Pasta
1 teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning
0.5 teaspoon Salt
0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
0.5 cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until completely browned and no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary
- Push the turkey to one side of the skillet. Add diced onion to the empty side and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir into the turkey
- Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and undrained crushed tomatoes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer
- Stir in the chicken broth and uncooked short pasta, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until completely melted and the sauce is creamy
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately
Notes
You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef, ground chicken, or Italian sausage.
For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free short pasta.
Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach for more nutrition.
Shredding your own cheese from a block results in a smoother, creamier sauce than pre-shredded varieties.
Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after stirring in the cheese to allow the sauce to thicken properly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg