Name: Pumpkin Turkey Pasta in Spicy Sauce
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 1 medium onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound lean ground turkey; 1 1/4 cups chicken broth; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 1/3 cup low-fat milk; 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped; 2 teaspoons white sugar; 2 teaspoons dried sage; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 (8 ounce) package rotini pasta

Embrace the flavors of fall with this comforting pasta dish. Savory ground turkey meets a lusciously spiced pumpkin sauce, creating a surprisingly light yet deeply satisfying meal. It's a symphony of sweet and heat that will tantalize your taste buds.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the Base: Lightly coat a deep skillet with cooking spray. Add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent (approximately 3 minutes). Introduce the minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).

02

Step

Brown the Turkey: Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink (approximately 8-10 minutes). Drain off any excess fat.

03

Step

Create the Pumpkin Sauce: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring to a boil. Stir in the pumpkin puree, low-fat milk, finely chopped chipotle peppers, white sugar, dried sage, ground black pepper, ground cinnamon, ground coriander, pumpkin pie spice, and ground nutmeg. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the sauce cook gently while you prepare the pasta.

04

Step

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (use 1 tablespoon of salt). Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente (approximately 8 minutes). Drain the pasta well.

05

Step

Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the turkey-pumpkin sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful blend of sweet and spicy flavors.

For an extra layer of flavor, consider browning the ground turkey with a tablespoon of olive oil.
Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to control the spiciness of the dish. For a milder flavor, remove the seeds from the chipotle peppers before chopping.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce before adding the pasta.