Pasta with Spinach, Ground Turkey & Cannellini Beans
Pasta with spinach, ground turkey and cannellini beans is simmered in a homemade tomato sauce for a quick, easy and healthy family dinner recipe.
What’s better than a complete dinner that uses just two pans, can feed the whole family, and is super easy to make?
Well other than homemade salted caramel sauce, pretty much nothing ;).
This pasta with spinach, ground turkey and cannellini beans will be a go-to family dinner recipe. It’s homemade comfort food you can feel good about eating!
Growing up, American chop suey (or goulash) and pasta a fagioli were two dinner staples that both my mom and grandma cooked regularly. (Mmmm with a nice slice of crusty Italian bread to zuppa zuppa!)
My version of pasta with spinach, ground turkey and cannellini beans is a mashup of these two family favorites with a spin of my own.
Typically, pasta a Faggioli is made as a hearty soup, but Grandma makes it as more of a pasta dish.
She makes the tomato sauce with carrots to cut down on the acidity of the tomato (and to add a touch of sweetness), and adds a bay leaf for a nice earthy undertone.
My red sauce for this pasta and beans is very similar, but I’m using crushed tomatoes as well as tomato sauce for a slightly heartier sauce.
Spinach and ground turkey are added to this pasta dish for a healthier version of goulash. It comes together easily in one pot (other than the pasta) for easy cleanup!
You can certainly omit the meat and substitute a second can of beans for a vegetarian version.
For a low carb version of this pasta with spinach, try it over spaghetti squash or Zoodles!
To make this easy pasta sauce recipe, first, cook the onions, carrots and garlic until softened. Then add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink.
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth and seasonings. Simmer for at least 30 minutes to really let the flavors develop.
If I’m not short on time, (which is rare!) I’ll usually let the sauce simmer for about an hour.
Lastly, add in the fresh spinach and beans. Once the spinach has wilted, the sauce is ready to be served!
For an easy weeknight family dinner, this pasta with spinach, ground turkey and cannellini beans is the perfect one-dish meal to feed a crowd.
The sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 4 months. Just defrost, heat and serve when ready to use!
For more easy family dinner recipes try:
Slow Cooker Balsamic Dijon Pot Roast
Easy Baked Pecan Crusted Fish
Mexican Cauliflower Rice Casserole
Pasta with Spinach, Ground Turkey & Cannellini Beans
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 2 Carrots peeled and diced small
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey can use beef or chicken
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 28 oz. can Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 8 oz. can Tomato sauce
- ½ cup Chicken Broth low sodium preferred
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 Bay Leaf
- ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper optional
- 4 cups Fresh Spinach
- 1 14.5 oz can Cannellini Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 lb Pasta (I used Rotini) or Veggie Noodles
- Grated Parmesan Cheese & Fresh Parsley for serving
Instructions
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Heat olive oil over medium heat in large sauce pan. Add onions and carrots. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
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Add in the garlic, stir and cook 1 minute.
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Add ground turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
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Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaf and crushed red pepper (if using). Bring sauce to a boil, then turn heat to low, cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
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Add in cannellini beans and spinach, stir until spinach is wilted.
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Serve sauce over pasta or veggie noodles.
Recipe Notes
For a vegetarian version omit the ground turkey and add in an extra can of beans.
Your recipes frequently say warm and comforting to me, and this is no exception – delicious 🙂 It is getting cold here in Australia, and this will make the ideal meal!
Thank you Alexandra! It’s starting to get warmer here, the flowers are just starting to bloom 🙂