30-Minute Ground Turkey Tomato Pasta Skillet

/ 30-Minute Dinners, Budget Family Meals, Kid-Friendly Dinners, One-Pan & One-Pot Meals / By

Weeknight Card · ground turkey pasta

30-Minute Ground Turkey Tomato Pasta Skillet

Ground turkey, short pasta, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cook into one mild skillet dinner with familiar pasta-night flavor and no separate sauce pan.

Your Weeknight Card

  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Active prep: 10 minutes
  • Cleanup: 1 deep skillet
  • Estimated cost: Budget–moderate
  • Kid flexibility: High
  • Leftovers: Very good · 4 days

Why it fits tonight: Ground turkey keeps the protein simple, pasta cooks in the same skillet as the sauce, and mozzarella gives the dinner a familiar finish without much extra work.

Why It Works Tonight

This recipe moves the turkey cluster into pasta night, so the same protein does not feel repetitive. The sauce stays mild, spinach can be added or skipped, and leftovers reheat well for lunch.

30-Minute Ground Turkey Tomato Pasta Skillet Recipe

Serves: 5 · Prep: 10 minutes · Cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 8 ounces short pasta, such as penne or rotini
  • 2 cups tomato pasta sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups baby spinach, optional

Pantry basics: 1 teaspoon olive oil if needed, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Instructions

  1. Brown the turkey. Heat a deep skillet over medium-high. Add turkey and onion and cook 6 to 7 minutes, breaking the meat apart, until no pink remains.
  2. Add the pasta base. Stir in pasta sauce, broth, garlic powder, and dry pasta.
  3. Simmer. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring a few times, until pasta is tender. Add a splash of water if the skillet gets dry too early.
  4. Add spinach if using. Stir in spinach for 1 minute until wilted.
  5. Finish with cheese. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, cover for 1 to 2 minutes until melted, then serve.

Safety note: Ground turkey should reach 165°F (74°C). Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Make This Card Fit Your Night

Picky-Eater Move

Skip the spinach in the main skillet and keep the sauce smooth and mild.

Make It Cheaper

Use store-brand pasta and sauce, and reduce the mozzarella slightly if needed.

Use What You Have

Frozen spinach, chopped zucchini, or peas can replace fresh spinach. Any short pasta with a similar cook time works.

Leftovers Tomorrow

Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water or broth until steaming hot.

More Ground Turkey Dinners

Browse the full Easy Ground Turkey Dinners hub when you want another fast family meal built around ground turkey.

Try Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes, Ground Turkey & Broccoli Rice Bowls, or the Turkey Cheeseburger Rice Skillet.