Quick One-Pot Ground Turkey and Spinach Recipe With Pasta

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Artichokes and creamy sauce take this ground turkey and spinach recipe with pasta to the next level! It is a quick and delicious one-pot dinner that combines the flavors of spinach and artichoke dip with pasta. It’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.

close up picture of ground turkey spinach on a plate

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This easy recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal when you want delicious and satisfying but don’t have a lot of time! Ground turkey is a lean protein that cooks quickly which makes this a delicious dinner option that’s healthy too! With just one pan, you can make dinner and cleanup will be a breeze.

Why you will love turkey and spinach pasta

It’s a healthy and flavorful dinner recipe made with wholesome ingredients.
It’s a simple recipe to prepare and takes less than an hour to make!
Ground turkey and spinach is a one-pot recipe, which means easy clean-up.

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this turkey skillet recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

Lean ground turkey
Pasta
Fresh spinach
Garlic
Onions
Artichokes
Milk
Flour
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese

🥄Equipment

Large Cast Iron Skillet or Stainless Steel Skillet

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How to make ground this turkey and spinach recipe with artichokes

a picture of cooked turkey with onions and garlic added

STEP 1: Cook the turkey over medium-high heat in a large skillet, add the onions and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.

STEP 2: Reduce the heat to medium heat, add the pasta and water to the pan. Cover and cook until the pasta is al dente – about 8 minutes.

a picture of water pouring into a skillet with turkey and pasta

overhead view of cooked pasta and turkey with artichokes

STEP 3: Reduce to low heat, and stir in the artichokes and milk, stir it into the turkey mixture and thicken the sauce with flour.

STEP 4: Add the spinach,let it wilt and stir in the cheese.

a picture of the cooked pasta with spinach, sauce

If you like one pot pasta recipes, be sure to try this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta recipe!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Milk – Heavy cream, half and half, or watered-down Greek yogurt can substitute for milk. For a dairy-free version, use an equal amount of almond, soy, or oat milk that can be substituted for a dairy-free.

Fresh spinach – Tender baby spinach is the best option for this recipe, but you can also use regular spinach and chop it or frozen chopped spinach. If you use frozen spinach, it which will have to be thawed and drained before adding it to the pasta.

Pasta – Any pasta can be used to make this pasta recipe. We like fussili or penne, but any version will work.

Garlic – Fresh garlic is the best option, but if it’s not available, you can use 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoon garlic powder.

How to store leftover ground turkey and spinach with pasta

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a little milk or chicken broth before heating it up over low heat on top of the stove.

an overhead view of turkey spinach pasta on a plate

Recipe variations

Spicy Spinach and Turkey Pasta – Add a dash or two of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Mediterranean Spinach and Turkey Pasta – Replace the milk with a dash of vegetable stock or chicken broth, add olives, red bell peppers or roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean flavor.

Beef or Pork Spinach and Pasta – Replace the turkey with any type of ground meat such as lean ground beef or pork.

Ground Turkey with Mushrooms and Spinach – Replace artichokes with 8 ounces of sliced and sauteed mushrooms.

Ground Turkey with Rice and Spinach – Replace the pasta with cooked rice and serve the turkey and spinach mixture on top of it.

Add more cheese – Add another variety of cheese or substitute parmesan cheese with any of the following: mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, gruyerre cheese, or romano cheese.

a picture of ground turkey pasta on a plate

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Serving suggestions

Serve this tasty ground turkey with spinach and pasta garnished with any combination of green onions, fresh herbs, Italian seasoning, or sea salt and black pepper and a salad like this arugula salad, spinach salad, or kale caesar salad to make it a complete meal.

Tips

If you are using fresh spinach, try not to overcook it for the best results, let it wilt and stir it into the pasta.
If you are using canned artichokes, make sure they are fully drained before adding them to the pasta.
Make the recipe kid-friendly by chopping the spinach and blending it into the sauce with a food processor or blender.

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze leftovers?

You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw the leftover pasta overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave.

How can I adjust the texture of the sauce?

If the sauce is too thin, you can make it thicker by mixing a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water and gradually stir it into the pot. If it’s too thick adjust the texture by adding a little bit of water or milk.

How can I make this dish gluten-free?

You can easily make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta such as chickpea pasta and thickening the sauce with cornstarch or arrowroot instead of flour.