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Easy Ground Turkey Broccoli Pasta | High Protein Family Dinner

Easy Ground Turkey Broccoli Pasta

A one-pan ground turkey and broccoli pasta dinner finished with parmesan and lemon, ready in about 25 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 ounces short pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Heat the oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, about 1 minute.
  2. Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey in an even layer and let it sit undisturbed until the bottom turns golden brown, about 4 minutes, before breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon.
  3. Add the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, taking care not to let it burn.
  4. Pour in the broth: Add the chicken broth to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spoon.
  5. Add the pasta: Stir in the dry pasta and bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.
  6. Simmer until nearly tender: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost tender, about 8 minutes.
  7. Stir in the broccoli: Add the broccoli florets and cook uncovered until they turn bright green and the stems are crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat: Take the skillet off the heat once the broccoli reaches the right color and the pasta has absorbed most of the broth.
  9. Melt in the parmesan: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until it melts fully into the sauce, coating the pasta and turkey evenly.
  10. Add lemon and spice: Stir in the lemon juice and red pepper flakes, if using, for brightness and a light kick of heat.
  11. Season to taste: Add salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting based on how salty your broth and parmesan already are.
  12. Let it rest: Let the skillet sit off the heat for 2 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly before serving.