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Quick Ground Turkey Veggie Pasta for Easy Weeknight Dinners

A close-up, appetizing serving of ground turkey veggie pasta featuring penne, zucchini, and tomatoes in a rich sauce.
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Make this simple, flavorful pasta dish using lean ground turkey and your favorite vegetables. It is an approachable, healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1/2 cup water or low-sodium broth
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  3. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it is browned completely. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion, garlic, mushrooms, and carrots to the skillet with the turkey. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
  5. Stir in the zucchini, diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
  7. Add the cooked, drained pasta and the 1/2 cup of water or broth to the skillet. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Cook for 2 more minutes until everything is heated through.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • To keep the ground turkey moist, avoid overcooking it before adding the vegetables. Browning it quickly over medium-high heat works best.
  • For a hidden vegetable boost, grate carrots or finely chop spinach and add them in the last 5 minutes of simmering.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/ground-turkey-veggie-pasta/

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