Creamy Turkey and Broccoli Penne Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Turkey Broccoli Skillet is a delicious, one-pan pasta dish featuring tender turkey sausage, fresh broccoli, and a rich, cheesy cream sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines wholesome ingredients with comforting flavors to create a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
Protein
- 13.9 ounces turkey sausage
Dairy and Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Aromatics and Seasoning
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (whisked into the milk)
Instructions
- Cook pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Add the fresh broccoli florets during the last two minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli and set them aside.
- Sauté turkey sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the turkey sausage and cook until it is lightly browned, about five minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Cook aromatics: Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the turkey sausage. Cook for an additional two to three minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
- Prepare and simmer sauce: Whisk the cornstarch into the whole milk until fully dissolved. Pour the milk mixture into the skillet and simmer while stirring continuously. Cook for three to five minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta and broccoli to the skillet, tossing gently to ensure everything is evenly coated with the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot immediately.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute whole milk with 2% or skim milk and use reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
- If turkey sausage is unavailable, substitute with chicken sausage or lean ground turkey.
- Fresh broccoli can be swapped for frozen broccoli florets if fresh is not available; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and verify that the turkey sausage is gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: turkey sausage skillet, creamy pasta, broccoli pasta skillet, one-pan dinner, cheesy turkey pasta
