Sweet & Spicy Turkey Broccoli Pasta

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ 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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

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. Serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -

Everything cooks in under 30 minutes, which means you can start this after work and still eat at a reasonable hour.
The sweet and spicy sauce clings to every piece of pasta without feeling heavy or greasy.
Lean turkey and crisp broccoli make you feel virtuous while the sauce makes you feel indulgent.
Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld.

02 -

Dont skip reserving the pasta water, plain water doesnt have the starch you need to make the sauce silky.
If your sauce seems too thin, let it simmer for another 30 seconds, the cornstarch needs heat to activate fully.
Taste before serving and adjust, sometimes it needs a splash more vinegar or another drizzle of honey depending on your sriracha brand.

03 -

Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on top, it makes them nutty and fragrant.
Use kitchen shears to slice the green onions directly over the skillet, one less cutting board to wash.
If you want to meal prep, cook the turkey and veggies ahead and store separately from the pasta, then toss everything together when youre ready to eat.