This simple ground turkey pasta recipe uses basic, healthy ingredients to create the most delicious meat and tomato sauce for pasta. It’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly comforting.
We appreciate your support of the companies that keep Salt alive! This post is sponsored by our dependable partner DeLallo. All opinions are my own.
Ground turkey is a versatile and healthy ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta. But how do you season it to get the most flavor? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you create the perfect pasta sauce with ground turkey.
1. Start with the Basics: Salt and Pepper
The foundation of any good seasoning is salt and pepper. Start by adding a generous amount of salt to the ground turkey about 1 teaspoon per pound. This will help to bring out the natural flavors of the meat. Then add black pepper to taste.
2. Enhance the Flavor with Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs that are perfect for adding flavor to ground turkey. It typically includes basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. You can use a pre-made Italian seasoning blend or make your own by combining equal parts of each herb. Start by adding 1-2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the ground turkey and adjust to taste.
3. Add Depth with Garlic and Onion
Garlic and onion are essential ingredients in many Italian dishes, and they can also add a lot of flavor to ground turkey. Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic and 1/2 cup of chopped onion to the ground turkey while it is cooking.
4. Get Creative with Other Spices
Once you have the basics down, you can get creative with other spices to add even more flavor to your ground turkey. Here are a few ideas:
- Red pepper flakes: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor that pairs well with ground turkey.
- Cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a more intense heat than red pepper flakes.
- Cumin: Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that is often used in Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Chili powder: Chili powder is a blend of spices that typically includes chili peppers, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder.
5. Adjust Seasoning to Taste
It’s important to taste the ground turkey as you are cooking it and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or other spices to get the desired flavor.
6. Let the Flavors Develop
Once the ground turkey is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before adding it to your pasta sauce. This will allow the flavors to develop and meld together.
7. Additional Tips
- Use fresh herbs whenever possible. Fresh herbs will have a more intense flavor than dried herbs.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to seasoning ground turkey. Experiment with different spices and combinations to find what you like best.
- Use high-quality ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor of your pasta sauce.
By following these tips you can easily season ground turkey for pasta and create a delicious and flavorful dish that your whole family will enjoy. Remember to start with the basics enhance the flavor with Italian seasoning, add depth with garlic and onion, get creative with other spices, adjust seasoning to taste, and let the flavors develop. With a little practice, you’ll be able to season ground turkey like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to cook ground turkey for pasta?
There are several ways to cook ground turkey for pasta. You can brown it in a skillet on the stovetop, bake it in the oven, or even use a slow cooker.
How long should I cook ground turkey for pasta?
The cooking time for ground turkey will vary depending on the method you use. Generally, it will take about 10-15 minutes to brown ground turkey in a skillet, 30-40 minutes to bake it in the oven, and 4-6 hours to cook it in a slow cooker.
What kind of pasta should I use with ground turkey?
Any type of pasta can be used with ground turkey, but some of the most popular options include penne, spaghetti, and rigatoni.
What kind of sauce should I use with ground turkey pasta?
There are many different types of sauces that can be used with ground turkey pasta. Some popular options include marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, and pesto sauce.
What are some other ways to use ground turkey?
Ground turkey can be used in a variety of dishes, including burgers, tacos, chili, and meatballs.
Additional Resources
Why you’ll love it
Nothing compares to the aroma of a simmering meat sauce in your kitchen. This recipe shares many of the same components as a Bolognese, but it’s made with ground turkey, is lighter, and requires less preparation time because it can be made with pantry staples.
I use tortiglioni from DeLallo because it’s a robust pasta that tastes great with hearty sauces. This ground turkey pasta is simple to put together when you want comfort food, and using high-quality ingredients really makes a big difference. They’re perfect little tubes for all that sauce!
The word “tortiglioni,” which comes from the Latin word for “spiral,” describes the form of this pasta. Its spiraling ridges around the noodle are perfect for catching sauces.
- Tortiglioni: DeLallo’s tortiglioni are made in Italy using a traditional method to have the best taste and texture; if you enjoy rigatoni or penne, you’ll love these!
- Olive oil – for sautéing
- The components of a good sauce are onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
- Turkey ground is less expensive, leaner, and heavier than beef.
- We’re using a can of DeLallo crushed San Marzano tomatoes for our tomatoes. They’re bright, sun-ripened Italian plum tomatoes.
- Seasoning: For a great flavor profile, my go-to flavorings are crushed red pepper flakes (not spicy, but with a gentle heat), dried oregano, and Worcestershire sauce.
- A dash of creaminess for extra flavor and silkiness is known as heavy cream.
- Basil adds a final touch of freshness.
- If the products aren’t available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can order charcuterie, pasta, olives, and other items online at DeLallo and have them delivered straight to your door.
- Founded in 1950, DeLallo is a Pennsylvania-based family business. They carry only the finest goods, and their gourmet (yet incredibly reasonably priced) Italian treats make the ideal present for the food enthusiast in your life!
How to make ground turkey pasta
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Saute the celery, carrots, and onions in a big pot with olive oil until they are tender. Cook, breaking up the ground turkey as you go, after adding the garlic. Add the oregano, crushed red pepper, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt.
Simmer for approximately 15 minutes with a slightly open lid and periodic stirring. Meanwhile, boil up the tortiglioni until al dente. Stir the cream and basil into the sauce. Taste, season with pepper and extra salt if desired. Toss with the pasta, and top with parmesan if using.
- You could use ground beef, ground pork, or ground chicken in place of the ground turkey.
- Because this sauce is adaptable, you could add additional vegetables if you have any.
- Since the tomatoes could cause the cream to curdle, I do not advise replacing it with a lower-fat substitute. I really enjoy how it softens the sauce and gives it a bit of extra flavor and richness, but you can omit it if necessary.