Mild Turkey and Bell Pepper Pasta
A comforting pasta dish with tender ground turkey and colorful bell peppers in a light tomato sauce, appealing to young palates without spice. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, ground turkey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup, diced (mixed colors) bell peppers
- 1/2 cup canned tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 lb ground turkey and cook for 5 minutes, breaking into small pieces with a spoon, until no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup diced bell peppers and cook for 3 minutes until tender-crisp and vibrant in color.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup canned tomato sauce, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Add the drained penne to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss for 2 minutes until sauce evenly coats pasta.
- Step 6: Sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mild Turkey and Bell Pepper Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mild Turkey and Bell Pepper Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mild Turkey and Bell Pepper Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mild Turkey and Bell Pepper Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mild Turkey and Bell Pepper Pasta?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
