Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe Easy and Delicious

There’s something about tossing hot pasta with savory ground turkey and fresh herbs that just feels like a weeknight win. Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta nails that balancequick enough for busy nights, bold enough to feel like you actually cooked something special.

I shot this dish three times last spring before getting the lighting just right, and each test left my kitchen smelling like garlic and simmering tomatoes. The trick Gordon usesbrowning the turkey until it’s actually crispy at the edgesmakes all the difference. After photographing hundreds of pasta recipes over eight years, I can tell you this one photographs beautifully and tastes even better.

Thomas Baker

Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe Easy and Delicious

This Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta brings creamy comfort to your dinner table in no time. With a rich sauce and perfectly cooked penne, it’s a delicious and straightforward Italian-inspired meal everyone will enjoy.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces Penne Pasta Feel free to replace it with any pasta shape you love.
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Canola or vegetable oil works just as well if you prefer.
• 1 medium Yellow Onion Red onion can give a sharper twist if desired.
• 1 pound Ground Turkey Substitute with turkey or ground beef for variety.
• 1 teaspoon Salt Enhances all flavors; adjust per your dietary requirements.
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper Freshly cracked is recommended for maximum flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning Swap with dried oregano, basil, and thyme if needed.
• 2 cloves Garlic Minced; garlic powder can also work in a pinch.
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose Flour Gluten-free flour can be a great alternative.
• 1 cup Chicken Broth Vegetable broth is an excellent vegetarian option.
• 1 cup Tomato Sauce Canned diced tomatoes can achieve a chunkier texture.
• ½ cup Half-and-half You can replace it with heavy cream or non-dairy milk.
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese Feel free to substitute with provolone or dairy-free cheese.
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Use any melty cheese you enjoy.
• ¼ cup Fresh Parsley Sprinkling this adds a fresh note to the presentation.
• 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes Optional for a little kick; you can omit or substitute with fresh chili if desired.

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the penne pasta until almost al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Save a cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat and add the chopped yellow onion, cooking until they turn translucent and tender, roughly 5 minutes.
3. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, cooking until browned and crumbly, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then mix in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the turkey mixture while stirring continuously and cook for one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring it is well coated. Add the half-and-half and stir gently, adding reserved pasta water bit by bit to reach your desired sauce consistency.
7. Reduce the heat and fold in half of both cheeses, stirring until they melt and become bubbly, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, then cover the skillet to allow the cheese to melt for a couple more minutes.
8. Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley and red chili flakes over the dish. Serve the pasta warm and enjoy.

Notes

• When freezing leftovers, leave some space in the container as the pasta might expand. You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or other ground meats if preferred. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Why You’ll Love This Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta

This dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss or the price tag. Ground turkey browns beautifully with Italian seasoning, creating a savory base that’s lighter than beef but just as satisfying. The creamy, cheesy sauce clings to every piece of penne, making each forkful cozy and complete.

What makes this special is the balanceit’s hearty enough to feel like comfort food, yet simple enough to pull together on a Tuesday night. You’re using everyday ingredients like chicken broth, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, but the technique of building layers of flavor turns them into something memorable. After shooting this recipe multiple times in my test kitchen, I can confirm it photographs as beautifully as it tastes, with that glossy, bubbling cheese finish that makes everyone lean in closer.

• Quick and weeknight-friendly: Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
• Lighter comfort food: Ground turkey keeps it satisfying without feeling heavy
• Cheesy, creamy goodness: Two kinds of melted cheese make every bite irresistible
• Family-approved: Even picky eaters go back for seconds

Key Ingredients That Make It Work

You don’t need a specialty store run for this onemost of these ingredients are likely already in your pantry or fridge. Ground turkey is the star, browning up with crispy edges when you let it sit undisturbed in the skillet for a minute or two. Yellow onion and garlic build the aromatic foundation, while Italian seasoning ties everything together with that familiar, herby warmth.

The sauce comes together with chicken broth, tomato sauce, and a touch of half-and-half for creaminess. A sprinkle of all-purpose flour thickens everything just enough to coat the pasta without turning it gloopy. Then come the cheesesmozzarella for that stretchy, melty pull and cheddar for sharp, bold flavor. Fresh parsley and a pinch of red chili flakes finish it off with color and a gentle kick.

How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

Start by boiling your penne pasta in salted water until it’s just shy of al denteabout 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining; it’s your secret weapon for adjusting sauce thickness later. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté diced yellow onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and let it brown for 6 to 8 minutes. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the turkey and stir continuously for a minute to cook off the raw flour taste.

Gradually pour in chicken broth and tomato sauce, stirring to combine, and let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens. Fold in the cooked penne, then stir in half-and-half for creaminess. Lower the heat and fold in half the mozzarella and cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and bubbly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover for a couple of minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and red chili flakes before serving.

Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

The trick I learned after years of testing pasta recipes is to let the ground turkey sit undisturbed in the skillet for a minute or two before stirring. This creates those crispy, caramelized edges that add depth and texture to the sauce. Don’t skip reserving some pasta waterit’s the easiest way to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick, and the starch helps everything cling together beautifully.

Pro Tip: Taste and adjust your seasoning before adding the cheese. Once the cheese melts in, it’s harder to fix under-seasoned turkey. A little extra black pepper or a pinch more Italian seasoning can make all the difference.

• Use freshly minced garlic instead of jarred for brighter, more aromatic flavor
• Stir the flour in thoroughly to avoid lumps in your sauce
• Cover the skillet after adding the final cheese layer to help it melt evenly
• Let the dish rest for a minute or two before serving so the sauce settles and thickens

How to Serve and Store

Serve this straight from the skillet for a cozy, family-style dinner that feels effortless and inviting. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread on the side rounds out the meal perfectly. Leftovers taste even better the next daythe flavors meld together overnight, making lunch feel like a treat.

Note: Pasta can dry out slightly when stored, so adding a splash of broth or half-and-half when reheating brings back that creamy, just-made texture.

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FAQs (Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta)

Time to Dig In

You’ll love how this Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta comes together in just 30 minutescrispy turkey edges, bubbly melted cheese, and pasta that looks as gorgeous on the plate as it tastes. After shooting this dish multiple times in different lighting, I can promise it photographs beautifully and delivers that cozy, homemade comfort we all crave on busy weeknights.

Try swapping in whole wheat penne for extra fiber, or stir in some fresh spinach during the last few minutes for color and nutrition. Leftovers reheat like a dreamjust add a splash of broth to bring back that creamy texture. A trick I picked up from years behind the camera: let the dish rest a minute before serving so the sauce thickens and clings perfectly to every piece of pasta.

I’d love to see how yours turns outtag me with your photos or tell me what you served alongside it. Did your family go back for seconds? Save this one for your next weeknight win, or text it to a friend who needs an easy dinner idea. Here’s to more meals that feel special without the stress.