Sweet Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta (Print Version)

Quick pasta featuring ground turkey and broccoli in a sweet-spicy sesame sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
03 - Add broccoli florets, red bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are bright and just tender.
04 - In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir in the cornstarch slurry.
05 - Pour the sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in green onions. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired.
08 - Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It hits the table in half an hour, which means you can actually enjoy your evening instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The sauce is naturally sweet and spicy without any dairy, so it works whether you're cooking for dietary preferences or just craving something bold.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lean and honest, but the real magic is how the sauce makes everything taste like you spent way longer than you actually did.
02 -
  • That pasta water is not optional—it's what transforms a thick sauce into something that actually coats the noodles instead of sitting on top of them.
  • Don't skip the cornstarch slurry or your sauce will be thin and sad, and honestly the whole dish depends on that glossy, clinging texture.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta because that's when you can still adjust the heat and salt without affecting the whole dish.
03 -
  • Reserve the pasta water before you drain—it's the secret to a sauce that actually clings instead of slides off.
  • Don't let the vegetables sit in the pan too long or the broccoli becomes mushy and loses its brightness, which is half the point.
  • Use toasted sesame oil, not regular, because the difference in flavor is worth whatever tiny bit extra it costs.
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