Cheesy Ground Turkey Pasta One Pot

Add this to your dinner rotation; the entire family will love it!

Why You Need This One-Pot Pasta

This easy recipe is a time-saver; something every home cook needs! All in one pan, no extra dishes.
This recipe is made from scratch but is just as easy as any boxed mix you’ve ever used.
It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand.
The sauce is so good, my family just can’t get enough and you won’t believe how fast it comes together.
It reheats well making it great for lunches (although we never have any leftover).

Serve it with a colorful tossed salad and some homemade garlic bread!

What’s in Ground Turkey Pasta?

MEAT Ground turkey is the meat of choice, but ground chicken would work well in this dish too. Or use ground beef and turn it into a hamburger helper style dish.

PASTA Medium pasta shapes work well in this recipe, I love the way the shells act as little cups to hold the sauce. Penne or rotini are great choices.

SEASONINGS Paprika, garlic, and black pepper add flavor. Add salt to taste.

CHEESE Two different kinds of cheese give this ground turkey pasta it’s signature savory flavor and creamy texture.

Be sure to use a bold cheese like sharp cheddar, it gives this dish a flavor boost.

Variations

Ground turkey pasta is also a great way to use up leftovers!

Add veggies like spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms (or anything else you think might go well with mac and cheese) for a heartier dish with extra texture and flavor.

How to Make Ground Turkey Pasta

This easy dinner comes together in no time. It’s such a quick dinner to make!

Brown Meat – Brown turkey, onion, and garlic (per the recipe below). Drain any liquid.
Cook Pasta with Meat – Stir in broth, milk, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the pasta is tender.
Thicken Sauce – Make a slurry by combining equal parts corn starch & water until smooth. Add to sauce to thicken.
Add Cheese – Remove from heat and stir in cheese.

Tips For a Perfect Dish

Choose a medium pasta shape; shells, penne, bowtie, or rotini are good choices.
Different pasta shapes will cook for different times so check your pasta by tasting a piece. Add more time (and a bit more water/broth) if needed.
Thicken the sauce further with more cornstarch slurry if needed.
Freshly grated cheese will melt better than pre-grated, bagged cheese (bagged cheeses can be gritty). A sharp cheddar will add way more flavor.
Add the cheese once the pan is removed from the heat. This keeps it from overheating and separating or becoming gritty.

Leftovers

Cheesy ground turkey pasta tastes just as good the next day. Keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator and it will keep about 3-4 days.
Freeze turkey pasta in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside and it will keep in the freezer for a month.

One-Pot Wonders

One Pot Pasta with Chicken – ready in less than 30 minutes
Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetables – hearty & healthy
One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni – stovetop version
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken – so easy to make
Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta – cheesy & creamy
Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce – perfect for a quick weeknight meal
Creamy Garlic Pasta – budget-friendly
Turkey Sloppy Joes – deliciously messy meal!

Did you make this Ground Turkey Pasta? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!