Description
Hearty Autumn Harvest Turkey Pasta brings rustic Italian countryside flavors to your table. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a comforting meal perfect for crisp fall evenings you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Autumn Harvest Turkey Pasta
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fusilli pasta
- ½ pound (227 grams) ground turkey
- 6 ounces (170 grams) spinach
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, shredded, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for roasting butternut squash cubes.
- Drizzle butternut squash cubes with olive oil, then generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Spread seasoned squash evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring pieces do not overlap, and roast for 25-30 minutes until golden and caramelized.
- Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for cooking ground turkey.
- Add ground turkey to the skillet, incorporating smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt to enhance flavor profile.
- Cook turkey thoroughly, breaking into small crumbles, until no pink remains and meat reaches 165°F (74°C), approximately 8-10 minutes.
- In a separate skillet, heat additional olive oil and add fresh spinach leaves, sautéing until completely wilted and vibrant green.
- Pour heavy cream into the spinach skillet, bringing mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat.
- Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain while reserving a small amount of cooking water.
- Combine cooked pasta with spinach cream sauce and seasoned ground turkey, gently mixing to ensure even coating.
- Transfer pasta mixture to serving plates and garnish with roasted butternut squash cubes.
- Finish with freshly ground black pepper and delicate thyme leaves for an aromatic touch.
Notes
- Roast butternut squash until golden and caramelized for maximum flavor depth and crispy texture.
- Choose lean ground turkey for a healthier protein option that absorbs spices beautifully.
- Parmesan cheese creates a luxurious, creamy sauce that binds all ingredients together seamlessly.
- Fresh thyme adds an aromatic herbaceous note that complements the earthy butternut squash perfectly.
- Smoked paprika and chili powder transform ordinary ground turkey into a richly seasoned protein with subtle heat.
- Al dente pasta ensures the perfect texture and helps sauce cling to each strand effectively.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg