Sweet & Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Lean ground turkey and crisp broccoli tossed with penne in a sweet-spicy sesame glaze for a satisfying 30-minute meal.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Turkey & Vegetables

02 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
03 - 2 cups small broccoli florets
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Sauce

07 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 2 tbsp honey
09 - 2 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce
10 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
14 - Fresh cilantro or basil leaves

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
03 - Add broccoli florets, red bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are vibrant and tender-crisp.
04 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir in the cornstarch slurry.
05 - Pour sauce over turkey and vegetables. Cook while stirring until sauce thickens, approximately 1-2 minutes.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in green onions. Top with sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired.
08 - Plate immediately and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinners actually happen without stress or takeout containers.
  • The sauce is addictive—that balance of sweet honey, spicy sriracha, and umami soy sauce makes everything taste intentional.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lean and protein-forward, so you feel satisfied without the heaviness.
02 -
  • The cornstarch slurry must be whisked smooth before it hits the pan, or you'll end up with starchy lumps that won't cook out.
  • Don't skip reserving pasta water—it's the difference between a glossy coated dish and one that dries out as it sits in the bowl.
03 -
  • Don't crowd the skillet when cooking the turkey—give it space to brown instead of steam, which means better flavor and texture.
  • Taste the sauce in the bowl before it goes in the pan so you can adjust seasoning and spice level when it matters.
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