Sweet & Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta (Printable Version)

Tender ground turkey and crisp broccoli in a bold sweet-and-spicy sauce, all tossed with penne pasta for a vibrant 30-minute meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sweet & Spicy Sauce

08 - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
09 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
10 - 1.5 tablespoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne 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, about 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.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper until combined.
06 - Pour the sauce over the turkey and vegetable mixture. Stir to coat evenly and simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Add the drained penne to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and optional cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in thirty minutes, which means you can actually make it on a Tuesday without losing your mind.
  • The sweet-spicy sauce is addictive enough that you'll find yourself making extra and sneaking spoonfuls straight from the bowl.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lighter than beef, but the broccoli and pasta make it feel genuinely satisfying, not like diet food.
02 -
  • Don't stir the turkey constantly while it browns, because breaking it into tiny pieces makes the final dish feel mushy instead of chunky and satisfying.
  • The sauce is more forgiving than you'd think, but if your sriracha is particularly hot or mild, taste it first and adjust by feel rather than following the recipe exactly.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for thirty seconds if you buy them untoasted, because that transforms them from background noise into something memorable.
  • Use a wok instead of a skillet if you have one, because the sloped sides make tossing everything together feel easier and more controlled.
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