Looking for a quick and easy turkey spaghetti recipe? This 20-minute ground turkey and spaghetti recipe is made with simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. This spaghetti with ground turkey includes tomato sauce, Italian spices and diced tomatoes.
Could you use a simple dinner option that you can get on the table in minutes? This easy turkey spaghetti recipe can be made with basic spaghetti, or use a high-protein or whole grain spaghetti.
Great for a quick weeknight dinner or something you want to meal prep on the weekend, this easy pasta recipe is a healthier option when you still want to enjoy a pasta dinner.
In this post I’ll show you how to easily make this turkey spaghetti recipe, what ingredients you’ll need and other options for ingredients that you can add or swap.
What do I need to make spaghetti with ground turkey?
- Ground turkey – most stores offer lean and extra-lean options for ground turkey. Feel free to choose whatever fits your nutrition needs and budget. Both options will work for this recipe.
- Spaghetti pasta – feel free to use basic spaghetti or opt for a high-protein, whole wheat or chickpea pasta for a healthier option.
- Tomato sauce – used for creating the red sauce.
- Diced tomatoes – used for creating the sauce, the diced tomatoes add extra volume to the sauce.
- Minced garlic – used to season the sauce and turkey
- Dried chopped onions – great for seasoning the turkey and sauce.
- Onion powder – used to season the sauce.
- Garlic salt – used for seasoning the sauce.
- Italian seasoning – used for seasoning the sauce.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
How do I make ground turkey and spaghetti?
Start by browning the ground turkey. To a large skillet, add in the ground turkey and heat over medium-high heat. Add in the dried minced onions and miced garlic. Cooking these together will help season the turkey and give it a more savory flavor.
Once the turkey has browned, add in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and onion powder. Stir these all together and reduce the heat to medium-low heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cover the pan with a lid.
When do I add in the pasta to the sauce?
While making the ground turkey and red sauce, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in the spaghetti (or your preferred pasta) and cook to package directions.
When the pasta is done cooking, immediately drain and add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce. Combine all ingredients well so the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations:
- Jarred pasta sauce – you could substitute the two cans of tomato sauce for a jar of prepared pasta sauce.
- Medium pasta shapes – you could substitute the spaghetti for a medium-shaped pasta like rotini, ziti, penne, farafelli, or rigatoni.
- Add in cheese – feel free to top your spaghetti with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, or stir in mozzarella or ricotta cheeses.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
Frequently asked questions about making turkey spaghetti:
Depending on the size of the spaghetti (regular or thin), cook times will vary from 8 to 11 minutes. Be sure to check the package for exact cooking times for specific pastas.
Bring a large pot of water to a full, rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, you can then add the pasta. Set your timer for the package-specified cook time once you add the pasta to the boiling water.
Depending on how lean the ground turkey is, you might not need to drain any fat off the turkey. Typically ground turkey has very little, if any fat that is rendered from the meat.
Any leftover turkey spaghetti can be refrigerated and reheated to eat later. Typically, when kept refrigerated in an airtight container turkey spaghetti will last 5-7 days.
What can I serve alongside spaghetti with ground turkey?
We would recommend a vegetable side or side salad to go with your turkey spaghetti. Here are some of our favorite vegetable sides and side salads:
- Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic
- Roasted Carrot Salad with Apples and Pistachios
- Chopped Italian Salad
- Tomato Basil and Mozzarella Caprese Salad
- Sauteed Green Beans
- Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing
- Tossed Salad with Healthier Italian Dressing
- Green Bean Almondine by Kylee Cooks
- Skillet Asparagus by Homemade Heather
If you loved this spaghetti recipe, check out some of these other pasta recipes:
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Easy Ground Turkey and Spaghetti in Red Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey lean or extra lean
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz.) box spaghetti regular, chickpea pasta or protein+
- 2 (14.25 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.25 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Bring large stock pot of water to a rolling boil. Once water is boiling, add in the box of spaghetti and cook according to package directions. (Depending on the size of spaghetti – regular or thin – will determine the cook time. Be sure to note the cook time on the package directions.)
- While you wait for the water to boil and spaghetti to cook, make the ground turkey and sauce. To a large skillet, add the ground turkey and brown over medium-high heat. Add in the minced garlic and dried minced onions while browning. As the meat cooks, break apart the turkey into crumbles. Turkey will be done cooking when all meat is no longer pink.
- Once the turkey has browned, add in the tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes, Italian herbs, garlic salt and onion powder. Stir all ingredients together and reduce the heat to medium low. Bring the meat sauce to a low simmer, and cover the skillet with a lid.
- Once the pasta is done cooking, drain completely. Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce. Toss together to coat the pasta completely in the sauce.
- Optional: Sprinkle with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese, or stir in shredded mozzarella or ricotta cheese. Enjoy right away while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
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