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Creamy Marry Me Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Parmesan Sauce

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A comforting and creamy ground turkey pasta dish with a rich homemade parmesan sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners that feel indulgent yet light.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground turkey, preferably 93% lean
  • 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (about 100g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9–11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup (120ml) of the pasta water.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink and just starting to brown, about 6–8 minutes. Remove turkey from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add a touch more butter if needed, then add minced garlic and finely chopped shallots. Cook over medium heat until fragrant and translucent, about 2–3 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the garlic and shallots. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste, thickening the sauce.
  5. Slowly pour in 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Follow with 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until it starts to thicken.
  6. Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 cup (about 100g) freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. Return the browned turkey to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Fold in the cooked pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired creaminess is reached.
  8. Let everything warm through together for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

Avoid boiling the sauce too hard after adding cream and cheese to keep it silky. Rest the sauce with pasta for a few minutes to help flavors marry and sauce cling. Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor and melt. For gluten-free, substitute pasta and flour accordingly. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth or milk to loosen sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey pasta, creamy parmesan sauce, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, quick pasta recipe, healthy pasta, turkey recipe

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