Savory Turkey Pasta Bowl Recipe With Creamy Cranberry Sauce by Elisa Schmitz

You can't celebrate the holidays without cranberry sauce (at least not in my family). I made homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, but had leftovers. We were craving pasta, so this easy skillet turkey pasta recipe with a rich and creamy cranberry sauce was born.

Whether you use leftover turkey or ground turkey (as I did, since we’d already used up our leftover turkey), this simple yet savory turkey with cranberry cream sauce pasta dinner recipe just tastes like the holidays. We’re already craving the sweet and tangy sauce again!

To make this savory turkey pasta bowl recipe you will need pasta, olive oil, fresh garlic, fresh broccoli (check out the health benefits of broccoli), yellow bell pepper (check out the health benefits of bell peppers), ground turkey, ground turmeric, dried Italian seasoning, heavy cream or milk, red wine, cranberry sauce, fresh baby spinach (check out the health benefits of spinach) and Parmesan cheese.

Serve this tangy, protein-rich, gluten-free turkey bowl for dinner or lunch with your favorite side dishes.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• pasta (your favorite), cooked (I used rotini)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 broccoli crown, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or whole milk (cream will make a thicker sauce)
• 3/4 cup red wine (I used Pinot Noir)
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 6 ounces baby spinach, shredded
• shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Recipe Notes

• I used a yellow bell pepper, but use whatever color you like.

• You can use store-bought cranberry sauce or make your own homemade cranberry sauce. It's easy!

• I used rotini pasta, but you can use whatever short pasta you like, from penne to fusilli to bowties to elbows.

• Try this recipe with ground chicken instead of turkey.

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave. 

Here’s how to make it:

1. In a large skillet, add the olive oil and warm it over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir to combine. Add the turkey to the skillet and break into crumbles. Stir fry for a few minutes until turkey starts to brown. Add the broccoli and pepper, and stir to combine. Add the turmeric and Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Continue to stir fry until turkey is browned.
   
2. Add the cream, wine and cranberry sauce. Stir to combine, then allow to simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes.
   
   
3. Add the spinach and stir to combine. Cover and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, or until spinach is cooked and sauce is thickened.
   
   
4. Add your cooked pasta to a bowl, then top it with the sauce. Garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
   

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