Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ½ white onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
Liquids and Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
Pasta and Seasonings
- 8 oz uncooked spiral protein pasta (about 2 cups uncooked, regular pasta works too)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Cook Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and ground turkey and cook until the turkey is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to combine flavors into the turkey mixture.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and add the uncooked pasta, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Boil and Cook Pasta: Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Adjust timing if using a different type of pasta according to package instructions.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese until the butter melts and the sauce is creamy and cohesive.
- Incorporate Beans and Spinach: Gently fold in the drained white beans and chopped fresh spinach so they warm through without overcooking.
- Finish with Mozzarella: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the top with freshly grated mozzarella, cover the skillet, and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the cheese has melted, serve warm and enjoy your hearty Tuscan pasta!
Notes
- You can substitute regular pasta if you don’t have spiral protein pasta, but adjust cook time accordingly.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
- Feel free to swap ground turkey for ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Adding fresh basil or parsley on top before serving is a great way to brighten the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian