Go Back
+ servings
creamy shell pasta in a white bowl
Print

Ground Turkey Pasta

This Ground Turkey Pasta is made with shell pasta, peppers, mushrooms, and onions smothered in a cream tomato sauce!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword ground turkey, orzo pasta salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 605kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. medium shell pasta or pasta of choice
  • 1 lb (16 oz.) ground turkey
  • 3 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 oz. white mushrooms, sliced thin or diced
  • 1/2 large white onion, diced
  • 1 tsp. salt (taste and add more as desired)
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 can (15oz.) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Boil water for pasta and follow directions on the shell pasta box. Typically 8-10 minutes to cook medium shells.
    12 oz. medium shell pasta
  • In a dutch oven or wide stock pot, heat 2 Tbsp. of the olive oil over medium heat and cook the ground turkey. Season the ground turkey with salt and pepper. Once cooked, place ground turkey in a bowl and set aside.
    3 Tbsp. Olive oil, 1 lb (16 oz.) ground turkey
  • Then place remaining tablespoon olive oil in the same pan. Sauté the garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms and onions with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning until fragrant (about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally). Then whisk in the flour until combined. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce and let it come to a simmer. Then add in the cooked ground turkey.
    2 cloves garlic, minced, 1/2 large red bell pepper, diced, 4 oz. white mushrooms, sliced thin or diced, 1/2 large white onion, diced, 1 tsp. salt (taste and add more as desired), 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning, 2 Tbsp. flour, 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth), 1 can (15oz.) tomato sauce
  • Pour in the cooked shells or pasta of choice, heavy cream and Parmesan. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, as desired. It may seem soup-y at first, just simmer and stir occasionally until sauce thickens. If you would like it creamier, add more heavy cream.
    1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • *Optional to make a pasta bake: place pasta in an oven safe dish (or leave in dutch oven) and bake at 350° F. for and additional 20 minutes. You can top with more Parmesan if desired. Enjoy.
  • Other seasonings that make a great addition, but not necessary include garlic power, onion powder, red pepper chili flakes, dried oregano and cayenne. 

Video

Notes

  • Add red pepper chili flakes for a little heat!
  • If you don't want to use heavy cream, you can make this pasta creamy by using whipped ricotta. (or use half heavy cream and whipped ricotta, it's fun to play with pasta recipes, you can't really "mess" it up!)
  • May sub shell pasta for a different shaped pasta such as rotini or penne. I've even made it with cheese tortellini and added in spinach as well for a fun twist!
  • Other seasonings that make a great addition, but not necessary include garlic power, onion powder, fennel, seed, dried oregano and cayenne. 
  • If you make with more pasta (16 oz box of shells) add in more heavy cream or tomato sauce. 
  • Can add in more ground turkey if you want too!

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 605kcal | Protein: 27.5g