Oh my gosh, you have to try this one-pot turkey, spinach & feta pasta – it’s my go-to when I want something quick, filling, and packed with flavor without the mountain of dishes afterward. I swear, the way the salty feta melts into the turkey and pasta? Absolute magic. And the best part? It’s ready in 30 minutes flat. Trust me, this recipe’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights when you just want dinner done fast, but still crave that homemade goodness.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Turkey, Spinach & Feta Pasta
This recipe is a total game-changer, and here’s why:
- Weeknight hero: Done in 30 minutes, no babysitting the stove!
- Flavor bomb: Salty feta, savory turkey, and garlicky spinach? Yes, please.
- One-pot wonder: Less cleanup means more time to relax (or, let’s be real, scroll your phone).
- Flexible: Swap ingredients based on what’s in your fridge; it’s foolproof.
Seriously, this dish tastes way fancier than the effort it takes. My kids even eat the spinach without complaining, that’s a win in my book!
Ingredients for One-Pot Turkey, Spinach & Feta Pasta
Here’s everything you’ll need for this flavor-packed dish. I promise it’s all simple stuff you might already have:
- 1 lb ground turkey (the lean kind works great here)
- 8 oz pasta, penne is my favorite, but any short shape will do
- 4 cups fresh spinach (trust me, it wilts down to nothing!)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, get the good stuff in brine if you can
And for the seasoning magic:
- 2 tsp garlic powder (or 3 cloves fresh if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1 tsp dried oregano, rub it between your fingers to wake it up
- ½ tsp salt (I use kosher, adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground, makes all the difference
- 2 tbsp olive oil, your everyday kind is perfect
Equipment Needed
Just two things, I promise:
- A large pot, about 4 quart,s should do it
- Wooden spoon, my trusty stirring sidekick
How to Make One-Pot Turkey, Spinach & Feta Pasta
Okay, let’s get cooking! This is so easy, you’ll be shocked at how good it turns out. First, grab that big pot and heat your olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the ground turkey and break it up with your wooden spoon. I like to get it into small crumbles so every bite has some. Cook until it’s nicely browned, about 5 minutes.
Now for the flavor boost! Sprinkle in your garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir, you’ll smell those spices waking up immediately. Pour in 4 cups of water (yes, just plain water works perfectly here) and crank the heat to bring it to a boil.
Once it’s bubbling, add your pasta. Stir it occasionally so nothing sticks, and let it cook for however long your pasta package says (usually about 10 minutes). Here’s the magic part: when there’s about 2 minutes left on the pasta timer, toss in all that fresh spinach. It looks like a mountain at first, but it wilts down to practically nothing in seconds!
Kill the heat as soon as the pasta’s al dente. Now shower that beautiful mess with crumbled feta, the residual heat will make it just melty enough. Give it one gentle stir, then serve immediately while it’s piping hot. The salty feta mixed with the garlicky turkey and tender pasta? Pure comfort in a bowl.
Tips for Success
- Spinach timing is key: Add it at the very end so it stays bright green and doesn’t turn to mush.
- Taste as you go: Adjust salt after adding the feta, some brands are saltier than others!
- Pasta water hack: If it looks dry, add a splash more water before the spinach goes in.
Variations
This recipe is crazy adaptable! Try ground chicken instead of turkey, or add a squeeze of lemon at the end for brightness. Sun-dried tomatoes would be amazing too if you’re feeling fancy.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta is perfect on its own, but I love it with garlic bread to sop up the juices. A simple arugula salad with lemon dressing cuts through the richness beautifully. Sometimes I’ll even add extra feta on top, because you can never have too much cheese!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Leftovers? No problem! Store this pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of water to keep it moist, or warm it on the stove over low heat. If the feta seems dry, just crumble a little fresh on top after reheating, instant revival!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop per serving (but remember, nutrition varies based on ingredients/brands and is just an estimate):
- 450 calories
- 30g protein (turkey power!)
- 45g carbs
- 18g fat (6g saturated)
- Plus a good dose of vitamin A, iron, and calcium from that sneaky spinach and feta
Not too shabby for such a satisfying meal, right? If you are looking for more quick meal ideas, check out Recipes Loop for inspiration.
FAQ
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the things people ask me most about this one-pot wonder:
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just thaw and squeeze out all that excess water first, about 10 oz frozen equals the 4 cups fresh. Toss it in at the same time you’d add fresh spinach.
How do I adjust the salt if my feta is super salty?
Easy fix, go light on the salt when seasoning the turkey, then taste after adding the feta. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
What if my pasta absorbs too much liquid?
No stress! Just add a splash of warm water or broth when stirring in the spinach, and it’ll loosen right up. The feta will thicken it again anyway.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Totally! Swap the turkey for mushrooms or white beans. You might need a touch more seasoning, but it’ll still be delicious.
Final Thoughts
Go make this pasta tonight, I swear you won’t regret it! Tag me if you do, I love seeing your kitchen wins. Now get cooking! If you enjoy these simple weeknight meals, you might also like this one pot chicken quinoa dish.
One-Pot Turkey, Spinach & Feta Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Add garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to the turkey. Stir well.
- Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally.
- When pasta is almost done, stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle feta cheese on top. Serve warm.
Notes
