Description
A simple yet elevated ground turkey pasta featuring a meaty red sauce with a hint of cream and plenty of parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz. medium dried pasta shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, separated
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 lb. ground turkey (93% lean)
- 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 15 oz. canned tomato sauce
- ½ cup starchy pasta water
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before straining, then rinse the pasta with cold water.
- Step: Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat with olive oil. Sauté the minced onion with ¼ teaspoon of salt for 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Step: Add the ground turkey and Italian seasoning to the pan. Break the turkey into small pieces and cook until almost cooked through.
- Step: Stir in the tomato sauce and ½ cup of starchy pasta water. Whisk in the tomato paste and anchovy paste, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Step: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 4-6 minutes until the turkey is fully cooked. Adjust salt as needed.
- Step: Slowly stir in the heavy cream while the sauce is on low simmer.
- Step: Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce and heat through.
- Step: Top with grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Use homemade Italian seasoning for the best flavor; if using store-bought, check for salt content. Reserve the starchy pasta water to ensure the sauce thickens perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 645 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: ground turkey, pasta shells, meaty red sauce, high protein dinner, easy pasta recipe