Sweet & Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta (Print View)

Tender turkey and crisp broccoli tossed with penne in a bold sweet-and-spicy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Turkey & Vegetables

02 - 1 lb ground turkey
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sweet & Spicy Sauce

08 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
10 - 1 1/2 tablespoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 green onions, sliced
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
16 - Shredded parmesan or feta cheese (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add the chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the turkey. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Add the broccoli florets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper.
06 - Pour the sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Stir to coat evenly and simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Add the drained penne to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, and optional cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce walks that perfect line between sweet honey and spicy kick, so every bite keeps you guessing.
  • Ground turkey cooks faster than you'd expect, making this genuinely doable on a busy Wednesday.
  • Everything happens in one skillet after the pasta drains, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
02 -
  • Don't cook the broccoli too far ahead; I learned this by making it mushy once when I added it too early and then let it sit while finishing other tasks.
  • Taste the sauce before pouring it on the turkey; sriracha varies wildly by brand, and you might want more heat or less depending on what you have.
  • The pasta continues absorbing sauce as it sits, so if you're not eating immediately, save a splash of pasta water to loosen things up when you reheat.
03 -
  • Cook your broccoli with intention; it should still have personality, not dissolve into the sauce like it surrendered.
  • Don't rush the browning of turkey; a proper sear develops flavor that quick-cooked turkey can't match.
  • Taste and adjust the sauce seasoning before adding pasta; it's much easier to balance now than after everything's combined.
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