This easy turkey and broccoli pasta is the kind of weeknight dinner that checks all the boxes: quick, comforting, and made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Tender pasta shells and crisp-tender broccoli are tossed with savory ground turkey in a buttery garlic sauce, then finished with Parmesan for a cozy, satisfying meal.
What makes this dish especially appealing is its balance. Lean ground turkey keeps it filling without being heavy, broccoli adds freshness and texture, and a pinch of crushed red pepper brings gentle heat if you want it. It’s a one-pan, family-friendly recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes and reheats beautifully for leftovers.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium shell pasta
- 12 ounces fresh broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground turkey breast
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions, adding the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes. Melt the butter, then add garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until no pink remains.
- Stir in the drained pasta, broccoli, salt, and reserved pasta water. Cook for 1 minute until well combined.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until evenly melted. Serve warm.