Creamy Tuscan Herb & Lemon Ground Turkey Cavatappi Pasta Recipe Pasta Poultry Dinner

Occasionally, I like to order those meal kit boxes. They're a great way to try new recipes and get new ideas for recipes. This easy Tuscan herb and lemon ground turkey cavatappi pasta recipe is one inspired by a really good meal from one of those kits.

This easy pasta recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prep and cook. Serve it with a salad or fresh vegetable. 

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3 to 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cavatappi pasta (or your favorite short pasta), cooked to al dente according to package directions (reserve 1 cup of the cooking water)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 - 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 - 2 tablespoons Tuscan spice blend or homemade Tuscan heat spice blend
• crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 4 green onions, chopped (divided)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 - 2 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chicken base (I used Better Than Bouillon)
• 1 lemon, zested and quartered
• grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the ground turkey, Tuscan spice blend and crushed red pepper flakes, to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until meat is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
2. Add half of the green onions, garlic and the butter. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
3. Add 3/4 cups of the reserved pasta water and cooked pasta. Cook about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the chicken base, cream cheese and sour cream. Cook about 2 minutes. Add the juice from half the lemon (or more to taste), lemon zest and remaining green onions.
4. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Need help converting cooking and baking measurements? Here are some handy kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.