Sweet Spicy Turkey Broccoli (Printable)

Tender turkey and crisp broccoli in a bold sweet and spicy sauce tossed with penne pasta.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Turkey & Vegetables

02 - 1 lb ground turkey
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sweet & Spicy Sauce

08 - 1/4 cup soy sauce, low-sodium preferred
09 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
10 - 1 1/2 tablespoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 green onions, sliced
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
16 - Shredded parmesan or feta cheese, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Add the chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the turkey. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Add the broccoli florets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined.
06 - Pour the sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Stir to coat evenly and simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Add the drained penne to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, approximately 1-2 minutes.
08 - Transfer to serving bowls. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and optional cheese. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than delivery arrives, and you actually know what's in it.
  • The sauce tastes restaurant-quality but uses pantry staples you probably already have.
  • Ground turkey stays tender instead of turning rubbery when you know the trick of not overcooking it.
  • Broccoli becomes the star instead of the vegetable you tolerate.
02 -
  • Don't cook the broccoli too far ahead or it'll turn mushy by the time you plate it; add it near the end so it stays crisp-tender.
  • Toasted sesame oil is intense, so resist the urge to pour the whole bottle in; a teaspoon is genuinely enough to transform the whole dish.
  • Taste the sauce before you add it to the skillet because this is your last chance to adjust the spice and salt without drowning everything.
03 -
  • Keep the heat on medium-high when cooking turkey so it develops tiny bits of color and texture instead of steaming into gray submission.
  • If your sauce looks too thin after you add it, simmer it for an extra minute or two and it'll cling to the pasta instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
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