Pesto Pasta with Ground Turkey: A Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal

Pesto Pasta with Ground Turkey: A Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal

Pesto pasta with ground turkey is a quick and easy weeknight meal that is sure to please the whole family. This dish is packed with protein and flavor, and it can be on the table in just 30 minutes.

To make pesto pasta with ground turkey, you will need:

* 1 pound ground turkey
* 1 jar pesto sauce
* 1 pound penne pasta
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the pesto sauce to the skillet and stir to combine.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the package directions.
4. Drain the penne and add it to the skillet with the turkey and pesto sauce.
5. Stir to combine, then top with Parmesan cheese.
6. Serve immediately.

Ingredient	Quantity	Instructions
Pesto sauce	1 jar	Pour the pesto sauce into a large skillet over medium heat.
Ground turkey	1 pound	Crumble the ground turkey into the skillet and cook until browned.
Pasta	1 pound	Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Cherry tomatoes	1 pint	Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the skillet with the ground turkey.
Spinach	1 bunch	Chop the spinach and add it to the skillet with the ground turkey and tomatoes.
Parmesan cheese	1/2 cup	Grate the Parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the pasta.
Basil	1/4 cup	Chop the basil and sprinkle it over the pasta.
Serve immediately	None	Enjoy!

Introduction

Pesto pasta with ground turkey is a quick and easy weeknight meal that is perfect for busy families. It is also a great way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas. This dish is packed with protein and fiber, and it is also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Ingredients

* 1 jar (15 ounces) pesto sauce
* 1 pound ground turkey
* 1 pound penne pasta
* 1 cup chopped vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, or zucchini)
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the pesto sauce to the cooked turkey and stir to combine.
4. Add the vegetables to the skillet and cook until they are tender-crisp.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine.
6. Top with cheese, if desired.

Tips

* To make this dish even healthier, you can use whole-wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta.
* You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as mushrooms, tomatoes, or spinach.
* If you do not have any pesto sauce on hand, you can make your own by combining basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor.
* This dish can be easily made ahead of time. Simply cook the pasta and vegetables, then store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. When you are ready to eat, reheat the pasta and vegetables in a skillet over medium heat, then add the pesto sauce and stir to combine.

Pesto pasta with ground turkey is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for busy families. It is also a great way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas. This dish is sure to become a family favorite!

3. Variations

There are many ways to vary this recipe to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas:

* Use a different type of pasta. Pesto pasta is delicious with any type of pasta, but some popular choices include penne, linguine, and spaghetti.
* Use a different type of ground meat. Pesto pasta is traditionally made with ground turkey, but you can also use ground chicken, beef, or pork.
* Add different vegetables. Pesto pasta is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Some popular additions include tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach.
* Use a different type of cheese. Parmesan cheese is the traditional choice for pesto pasta, but you can also use mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese.

4. Tips

Here are a few tips for making pesto pasta with ground turkey:

* To make the pesto sauce ahead of time, combine the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* To make the dish more filling, add some protein-rich beans or lentils to the pasta.
* To make the dish healthier, use whole-wheat pasta and low-fat cheese.
* To make the dish more flavorful, add some red pepper flakes or dried oregano to the pesto sauce.

Pesto pasta with ground turkey is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With so many variations, you are sure to find a version that you love.

Here is the full recipe:

Ingredients

* 1 pound ground turkey
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1/2 cup pesto sauce
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 pound penne pasta

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned.
3. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, pesto sauce, and Parmesan cheese.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
7. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce.
8. Stir to combine and serve immediately.

Q: What are the ingredients for pesto pasta with ground turkey?

A:
* 1 pound ground turkey
* 1/2 cup pesto sauce
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
* 1/2 cup pine nuts
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1 pound penne pasta

Q: How do I cook pesto pasta with ground turkey?

A:
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, stirring to break up the meat.
3. Add the pesto sauce, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts to the skillet and stir to combine.
4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the pesto sauce mixture.
6. Stir to combine and serve immediately.

Q: What are some tips for making pesto pasta with ground turkey?

A:
* Use a high-quality pesto sauce for the best flavor.
* If you don’t have any sun-dried tomatoes on hand, you can use 1/2 cup of jarred roasted red peppers instead.
* For a vegetarian version of this dish, omit the ground turkey and use 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas or lentils instead.
* Serve the pesto pasta with your favorite sides, such as salad, roasted vegetables, or bread.

Q: What are some variations on pesto pasta with ground turkey?

A:
* Add some chopped vegetables to the pesto sauce, such as broccoli, zucchini, or carrots.
* Top the pesto pasta with some fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley.
* Serve the pesto pasta with a fried egg on top.
* Make a grilled pesto pasta by grilling the ground turkey and vegetables before adding them to the pesto sauce.

Pesto pasta with ground turkey is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight. It is also a healthier option than traditional pesto pasta, as it is made with whole-wheat pasta and lean ground turkey. This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to please the whole family.

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

* Pesto pasta with ground turkey is a healthy and delicious dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight.
* It is made with whole-wheat pasta, lean ground turkey, and fresh vegetables.
* This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to please the whole family.