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Cheesy Ground Turkey Pasta

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This one-pot, cheesy ground turkey pasta is a comforting weeknight dinner that combines savory tomato, creamy sauce, and melty cheese with lean ground turkey.

Ingredients

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  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  3. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add the ground turkey. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and no pink remains, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  5. Season the turkey with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
  6. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Sprinkle the flour over the meat and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
  8. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add the tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  9. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to thicken and allow flavors to develop. If it looks too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  10. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half and half. Add the shredded mozzarella and cheddar, stirring until melted and smooth.
  11. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If needed, use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and make it cling to the noodles.
  12. Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of red chili flakes if using.
  13. Serve immediately while the cheese is gooey and the sauce is warm.

Notes

This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners and can easily be customized with vegetables or different cheeses.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.simplefamilydishes.com/gordon-ramsay-ground-turkey-pasta/