Description
Comforting autumn harvest turkey pasta brings warmth to family dinners with seasonal ingredients. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a satisfying meal combining rich flavors and wholesome nutrition you can savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ pound (227 grams) ground turkey
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fusilli pasta
- 6 ounces (170 grams) spinach
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, shredded, room temperature
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme
Instructions
- Roast Squash: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring no overlap. Roast 25-30 minutes until golden and caramelized.
- Cook Turkey: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground turkey with smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt. Crumble and cook until fully browned and reaches 165°F, about 8-10 minutes.
- Prepare Spinach Cream: In a separate skillet, sauté spinach leaves until wilted. Pour heavy cream, simmer gently, then reduce heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta: Cook pasta al dente, reserving small amount of cooking water. Mix pasta with spinach cream sauce and seasoned turkey, ensuring even coating.
- Plate and Garnish: Transfer pasta to serving plates. Top with roasted butternut squash cubes. Finish with freshly ground black pepper and delicate thyme leaves for an aromatic final touch.
Notes
- Roast Squash Perfectly: Spread cubes evenly without overlapping to achieve golden caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Turkey Cooking Tip: Use medium heat and continuously break meat into small crumbles to ensure even cooking and optimal texture.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a small amount of starchy pasta water to help sauce adhere and create a silkier, more cohesive dish.
- Cheese Incorporation Technique: Add Parmesan cheese gradually and reduce heat to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg