Sweet & Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Tender turkey and crisp broccoli tossed with penne in a bold sweet-and-spicy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes.

# What Goes In:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Turkey & Vegetables

02 - 1 lb ground turkey
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Sweet & Spicy Sauce

08 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
09 - 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
10 - 1 1/2 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce
11 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 green onions, sliced
15 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - Shredded parmesan or feta cheese (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Add chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the turkey. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Add broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender-crisp.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined.
06 - Pour sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Stir to coat evenly and simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Add drained penne to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, approximately 1-2 minutes.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and optional cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner doesn't feel like a compromise.
  • The sauce is bold enough to make you feel like you're doing something special, but the ingredients are things you probably already have.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the broccoli in the pan; it continues to cook slightly when you add the hot sauce, and mushy broccoli changes the entire experience of eating this dish.
  • Taste the sauce before adding it to the pan. That moment of adjustment is what separates a good version of this from the version that becomes your go-to.
03 -
  • Cook the penne slightly under al dente if you're making this ahead and reheating it, since it continues to soften as it sits.
  • Toasted sesame oil is different from regular sesame oil; the toasted version has flavor that matters, so it's worth buying the right bottle.
Return