Ground Turkey, Pea & Asparagus Pasta | One Pot One Portion
This is my 20 minute, one-pot ground turkey pasta with peas and asparagus! If you need a quick weeknight dinner then why not try this high protein pasta. The combination of ground turkey, peas, asparagus, fresh parsley and lemon juice makes a meal that is simultaneously fresh and comforting and as nutritious as it is delicious.
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Ground Turkey And Pasta
I feel like ground turkey is one ingredient that is really underused, but if you want a 20 minute one-pot dinner that is as delicious as it is nutritious then why not try my one pot one portion turkey, pea & asparagus pasta.
Now ground turkey doesn’t necessarily sound like the most appealing ingredient, I know, but in this pasta it works really well for a couple of reasons. Firstly we’re browning the turkey to start and the crispy caramelised bits add depth and flavour. Next we’re cooking the pasta in chicken stock again to boost that umami depth. Then we’re finishing the dish off with beautiful green spring vegetables and a squeeze of lemon to add brightness and freshness.
The result is a comforting single-serving dinner that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
If you like this recipe you might want to take a look at some of my other single-serve one pot pasta recipes like my Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo, my Herby Chicken Meatball Brothy Pasta, my Toasted Corn & Coconut Mac and Cheese, my Tomato Tamarind Pasta with Chickpeas & Crispy Garlic and my Broccoli, Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
You're Going to Love This High Protein Pasta:
20 minute meal
This recipe only takes about 20 minutes made on the stovetop so you don't even need to turn the oven on.
High Protein
Ground turkey is very high in protein and along with the pasta, stock and greens you get a high protein pasta that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.
One Pot Recipe
As with all of my recipes, this is a one pot dish or one pan dish, which makes every meal time easier and more enjoyable, especially when cooking for one. Lucky for you, all my recipes are made in one pot and you can find them all here.
Single-Serve Recipe
Again, these are single serve recipes so you can make this just for yourself! Though it would be very easy to scale up to serve multiple people if needed. Again, if you like one portion recipes then you'll love every single other recipe on my site!
Ingredients and Tools
Ground Turkey
- Ground turkey is similar to ground chicken in the ways that it can be used and here I'm browning it off in olive oil to get deliciously crispy deep brown bits that add umami depth to the dish.
Rigatoni/Short Pasta
- A short pasta like rigatoni is perfect for one-pot cooking as it doesn't take too long to cook and absorbs all the flavour from the chicken stock.
Spring Green Vegetables
- The vegetables add brightness to this dish and I chose to use frozen peas because they're such a staple, broccoli and asparagus. The vegetables steam/simmer in the pasta so only needed to be added in the last 3-4 minutes to keep them vibrant, with a nice bite.
Chicken Stock
- Cooking this pasta in chicken stock boosts the flavour so much. It's such an easy way to make any dish more impactful- why cook with water when you can cook with flavoured water!
Fresh Parsley & Lemon Juice
- Like the vegetables, the fresh parsley and lemon juice add brightness to cut through so of the meaty depth you get from browning the turkey and from using the chicken stock
Pecorino/Parmesan
- Is there any point in having pasta without cheese? I'm not sure. Top this pasta off with a hit of salty pecorino, or if you prefer, parmigiano reggiano.
Step by step instructions
Brown the ground turkey: Add the olive oil to a small pan over a medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and let that cook for 7-10 minutes until the turkey starts to turn a deep dark brown colour. It may stick to the bottom of the pan but that's fine- it's all extra flavour! Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes then add the pasta, water and chicken stock.
Add the pasta: stir well then cook with a lid on for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Depending on the size of the pan or the shape of your pasta you may need to add more water so keep an eye on it.
Add the green vegetables: when the pasta is almost done but not quite, add in the peas, asparagus and broccoli. Stir well and cook for a final 2-4 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are cooked but retain a bite. You want most of the liquid to have evaporated but if it's too dry then add a splash of water.
Finish with cheese, herbs and lemon: Finish by stirring through the lemon juice, cheese and fresh parsley. Taste and season with salt and black pepper and enjoy!
Variations, substitutions or modifications
Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten free simply use gluten free pasta
Vegetarian: You could use a vegetarian ground meat alternative for this, or you could use vegetarian sausages broken up into little pieces. You could also use crumbled tofu or even small pieces of aubergine. Follow the same method as you do for the turkey mince and feel free to add extra spices or soy sauce to add some extra flavour if you like.
Vegan: Leave out the cheese or use a vegan alternative and, as above, use a vegetarian meat alternative tofu or aubergine.
FAQs
Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?
- If you ask me, health is entirely subjective, and what is healthy for one person may not be healthy for another. Both turkey and beef are high in protein and you can choose the fat percentage of both. I say choose whichever you prefer!
What can I make using ground turkey?
- You could use ground turkey in any recipe that uses ground chicken, for example my Herby Chicken Meatball Brothy Pasta
Can I make a double portion?
- You can easily double up this single-serve recipe just by doubling the ingredients.
If you like this recipe you might want to take a look at some of my other single-serve one pot pasta recipes like my Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo, my Herby Chicken Meatball Brothy Pasta, my Toasted Corn & Coconut Mac and Cheese, my Tomato Tamarind Pasta with Chickpeas & Crispy Garlic and my Broccoli, Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
Ingredients
To serve one, you need:
- 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 200g Ground Turkey Mince
- 2 Cloves of Garlic, finely chopped
- 80g Rigatoni, or other short dried pasta
- 300ml water
- 1 Chicken Stock Cube/Pot
- 50g Frozen Peas
- 50g Asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 50g Broccoli, cut into small florets
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 20g Pecorino/Parmesan
- 5g Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- Flaky Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a small pan over a medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and let that cook for 7-10 minutes until the turkey starts to turn a deep dark brown colour. It may stick to the bottom of the pan but that's fine- it's all extra flavour!
- Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes then add the pasta, water and chicken stock.
- Stir well then cook with a lid on for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Depending on the size of the pan or the shape of your pasta you may need to add more water so keep an eye on it.
- When the pasta is almost done but not quite, add in the peas, asparagus and broccoli. Stir well and cook for a final 2-4 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are cooked but retain a bite. You want most of the liquid to have evaporated but if it's too dry then add a splash of water.
- Finish by stirring through the lemon juice, cheese and fresh parsley.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper and enjoy!
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Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
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One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up!
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