Ground Turkey and Spinach Penne

Name: Ground Turkey and Spinach Penne
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound penne pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground turkey; 1 yellow onion (medium, diced); 4 clove garlic (minced); 24 ounce marinara sauce; 0.5 cup chicken broth; 5 ounce spinach (fresh); 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper; 4 slice Texas toast (or thick-cut bread); 2 tablespoon butter (melted); 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated)

Hearty penne pasta tossed in a savory tomato-basil marinara with lean ground turkey and fresh spinach, served with crunchy quick garlic bread.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 18 min
Total: 28 min
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $1.91/serving

Dietary

Nut-Free
Egg-Free
High-Protein

Ingredients

1 pound penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 yellow onion (medium, diced)
4 clove garlic (minced)
24 ounce marinara sauce
0.5 cup chicken broth
5 ounce spinach (fresh)
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
4 slice Texas toast (or thick-cut bread)
2 tablespoon butter (melted)
2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated)

Instructions

Cook penne pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Add 1 medium diced yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in 3 minced cloves garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Pour in 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer. Stir in 1 (5 ounce) package fresh spinach, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until wilted.
Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce and toss to combine.
Prepare quick garlic bread: While pasta simmers, preheat broiler. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 minced clove garlic, and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese. Spread evenly over 4 slices Texas toast or thick-cut bread. Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and toasted.
Serve the ground turkey and spinach penne hot with the garlic bread on the side.

Notes

This dish reheats beautifully for convenient lunch or dinner leftovers. For extra spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 450
Protein: 28.5 g
Carbohydrates: 50.1 g
Fat: 15.2 g
Fiber: 6.8 g
Sodium: 680 mg
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Sugar: 7.5 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg