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Creamy One-Pot Ground Turkey Taco Pasta Recipe with Easy Lime Crema

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A quick and easy one-pot meal combining ground turkey, taco seasoning, and creamy pasta sauce, finished with a fresh lime crema for a tangy twist. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • For the lime crema:
  • 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (about 3-4 minutes) until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  5. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir well to coat the turkey evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices.
  6. Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, then pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
  7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  8. Lower the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  9. While the pasta simmers, prepare the lime crema by whisking together the Mexican crema (or sour cream), fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  10. Serve the pasta warm with a generous drizzle of lime crema on top. Garnish with extra cilantro or sliced jalapeños if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too thick after adding cheese, stir in a splash of broth or water to loosen. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth blending. Stir pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent sticking. Lime crema can be made ahead and chilled for better flavor. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese with vegan alternative and use coconut yogurt for crema. Use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, ground turkey, taco pasta, lime crema, quick dinner, easy recipe, creamy pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/creamy-one-pot-ground-turkey-taco-pasta-recipe-with-easy-lime-crema/