Turkey Pesto Pasta

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Looking for a simple, healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy? This easy turkey pesto pasta is a go-to weeknight meal in our home, and it’s perfect for busy nights when you still want something nourishing and flavorful on the table fast.

Made with ground turkey, your favorite pasta, and a generous scoop of pesto, this one-pot dish comes together quickly and can easily be customized with whatever veggies you have on hand. It’s hearty and packed with good-for-you ingredients. Even better? It reheats beautifully, making it ideal for leftovers or meal prep.

Read this post on how to make your own basil pesto. Make it in bulk and store it in the freezer for later use.

I’ve been making this pasta for years, and it’s become one of those dependable meals that we all look forward to. You can swap in what you have and make it your own, try it with peas and zucchini in the summer, or roasted squash and spinach in the fall. It’s the kind of recipe that fits right into a real-food, seasonal kitchen.

Helpful Tools for This Recipe

You don’t need anything fancy to make this simple turkey pesto pasta, but having a few kitchen staples on hand can make the process quicker and easier:

• Large Pot: A roomy pot is key for boiling pasta and mixing everything together at the end. A 6 to 8 quart pot works well.
• Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Great for browning meat and stirring in the pesto without scratching your pot.
• Colander: A must for draining pasta easily—look for one that rests over your sink to free up your hands.
• Chef’s Knife and Cutting Board: You’ll want these for chopping spinach and any added vegetables.
• Glass Storage Containers: Perfect for meal prepping or storing leftovers. Look for ones that are microwave-safe with locking lids.

Optional but nice to have:

• Box Grater or Microplane: For grating fresh parmesan over the top before serving.
• Garlic Press: If you’re using fresh garlic, this makes mincing quick and easy.

How to Make Turkey Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground Turkey (or substitute with ground chicken or beef)
• 16 oz Pasta (your favorite kind—brown rice, gluten-free, einkorn, or classic)
• 2 cups Spinach, chopped
• 6.5 oz Pesto (use half or a whole jar, depending on your preference)
• 2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1 ½ tsp Garlic Powder (or 2 fresh cloves, minced)
• 1 ½ tsp Onion Powder
• 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Optional Vegetables: broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, chopped bell peppers, green peas, chopped mushrooms

Instructions

Boil the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Drain with a colander and set aside.

Cook the turkey

In the same pot, add heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground turkey and sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is just starting to brown.

Add veggies 

Stir in chopped spinach and any other vegetables you’re using. Cook until the greens are wilted and the vegetables are tender.

Mix it all together

Turn the heat to low. Stir in cooked pasta and pesto until everything is well coated and warmed through.

Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with a little grated parmesan if you’d like.

Storage & Meal Prep

This dish is perfect for meal prepping! Just portion into individual containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a microwave-safe dish or in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

Your New Go-To Weeknight Dinner

This turkey pesto pasta is one of those simple meals that’s easy to keep in your back pocket, quick to make, full of flavor, and flexible with whatever you have on hand. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen the way it has in ours. If you make it, I’d love to hear how you liked it or what seasonal veggies you added.

Turkey Pesto Pasta

A quick and healthy pasta dish made with ground turkey, pesto, and your favorite seasonal veggies, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:30 minutes mins

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: 30 minute pasta dinner, homemade, one-pot recipe, turkey pesto pasta recipe

Servings: 4 people

Equipment

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven
• Wooden Spatula or Spoon

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Turkey or substitute with ground chicken or beef
• 16 oz Pasta your favorite kind—brown rice, gluten-free, einkorn, or classic
• 2 cups Spinach chopped
• 6.5 oz Pesto use half or a whole jar, depending on your preference
• 2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1 ½ tsp Garlic Powder or 2 fresh cloves, minced
• 1 ½ tsp Onion Powder
• 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Optional vegetables: broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, chopped bell peppers, green peas, chopped mushrooms

Instructions

• Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Drain with a colander and set aside.
• Cook the turkey: In the same pot, add olive oil over medium heat. Add ground turkey and sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is just starting to brown.
• Add veggies: Stir in chopped spinach and any other vegetables you’re using. Cook until the greens are wilted and the vegetables are tender.
• Mix it all together: Turn the heat to low. Stir in cooked pasta and pesto until everything is well coated and warmed through.
• Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with a little grated parmesan if you’d like.

Notes

Storage & Meal Prep

This dish is perfect for meal prepping! Just portion into individual containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a microwave-safe dish or in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

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