Sweet & Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Lean ground turkey and crisp broccoli tossed with penne in a sweet and spicy sauce for a quick, satisfying dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Turkey & Vegetables

02 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
03 - 2 cups small broccoli florets
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Sauce

07 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons honey
09 - 2 tablespoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
14 - Fresh cilantro or basil leaves

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
03 - Add broccoli florets, red bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are bright and just tender.
04 - In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir in the cornstarch slurry until well combined.
05 - Pour the sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in green onions. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired.
08 - Serve the dish hot immediately.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to heat water and brown meat, perfect for those nights when hunger wins the battle against motivation.
  • The sauce has enough depth that your guests will ask if you've been secretly taking cooking classes.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lean without sacrificing that satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs feeling that pasta promises.
02 -
  • Reserve your pasta cooking water before you drain—this starchy liquid is what transforms a dry, sad sauce into something that hugs the noodles like it's meant to be there.
  • Don't skip the toasted sesame oil because regular sesame oil tastes like nothing and defeats the entire purpose of making this dish instead of ordering takeout.
  • If your sauce looks too thick after cooking, thin it with pasta water one tablespoon at a time instead of adding more liquid sauce, which dilutes the flavor.
03 -
  • Toasted sesame oil can burn if added to a too-hot pan, so always add it when the sauce comes off the heat or just before serving to preserve that nutty flavor.
  • Taste the sauce before the pasta goes in because once everything is combined, it's harder to adjust seasonings without fixing each element separately.
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