Ground Turkey Pasta Skillet – A Complete, Comforting One-Pan Meal Ready in 30 Minutes

If you need a complete dinner that’s hearty, flavorful, protein-packed, and incredibly easy to make, this Ground Turkey Pasta Skillet is about to become one of your most-used weeknight recipes. With simple ingredients, one skillet, and just 30 minutes, you can create a satisfying, comforting pasta dish that tastes like something you’d order at your favorite cozy café—but made right at home with minimal effort.

This dish combines savory, browned ground turkey with tender pasta, garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, broth, and melty cheese. Everything cooks together in the same pan, giving the flavors time to blend into a creamy, rich, and deeply comforting sauce.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a casual dinner, or prepping meals for the week, this skillet pasta delivers dependable deliciousness every single time. You’ll find instructions, pro tips, variations, and serving suggestions below—plus everything you need to master this satisfying dish.

Why This Ground Turkey Pasta Skillet Works So Well

1. One-Pan Convenience

The pasta cooks right in the sauce, absorbing flavor and eliminating the need to boil and drain.

2. Turkey Makes It Lean & Satisfying

Ground turkey provides protein while keeping the dish lighter than traditional beef pasta.

3. Perfectly Seasoned Sauce

Garlic, onions, herbs, and tomatoes create a layered, comforting flavor base.

4. The Cheese Melts Into the Pasta

Shredded cheese creates a creamy, luscious final texture that ties everything together.

5. Easy to Customize

Swap veggies, cheeses, pasta shapes, or seasoning based on what you have available.

Ingredients for Ground Turkey Pasta Skillet

Skillet Pasta Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 cups uncooked short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Brown the Turkey:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles.
2. Add Aromatics:
   Add diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3. Add Pasta and Liquids:
   Add pasta, diced tomatoes (with juices), broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Simmer:
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked.
5. Make It Cheesy:
   Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
6. Finish:
   Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Ground Turkey Pasta Skillet

A comforting one-pan pasta made with savory ground turkey, tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese for an easy weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 430

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Turkey Pasta Skillet

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 cups short pasta penne, rotini, or shells
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheese mozzarella or cheddar
• fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Brown ground turkey in olive oil, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic.
3. Add pasta, diced tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 12–15 minutes until pasta is tender.
5. Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth before serving.

Tips for the Best Skillet Pasta

Stir Occasionally

This helps prevent pasta from settling and sticking to the bottom.

Use Enough Liquid

Different pasta shapes absorb differently; add a splash more broth if needed.

Add Cheese at the End

Adding it too early can cause sticking or burning.

Let It Rest

Five minutes of resting thickens the sauce perfectly.

Variations

Creamy Turkey Pasta

Add ¼ cup heavy cream or cream cheese at the end.

Veggie-Packed Version

Stir in spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, or peas.

Spicy Turkey Pasta

Add red pepper flakes or use hot paprika.

Tomato Basil Twist

Add fresh basil right before serving.

Cheesy Baked Skillet

Top with cheese and broil 2 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with garlic bread or toast
• Pair with a fresh salad
• Add roasted vegetables
• Spoon over mashed potatoes for extra comfort
• Serve as-is for a perfect one-bowl meal

Storage + Reheating

• Refrigerator: 3–4 days
• Freezer: 2 months
• Reheat: Add a splash of broth or water to loosen sauce

Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Weekly Rotation

This Ground Turkey Pasta Skillet has all the qualities of a go-to meal:
✔️ Simple ingredients
✔️ One-pan convenience
✔️ Balanced nutrition
✔️ Comforting flavors
✔️ Quick cooking time

Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches or feeding the family, this dish is reliable, delicious, and endlessly adaptable.