Description

This Creamy Turkey Broccoli Skillet is a comforting and wholesome one-pan meal featuring tender penne pasta, fresh broccoli, and flavorful turkey sausage all coated in a rich cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish combines protein, veggies, and pasta into a creamy, cheesy skillet meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

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

Seasonings

1 small yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon cornstarch (for thickening)

Instructions

Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions. During the last two minutes of cooking, add the fresh broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. Drain the pasta and broccoli mixture and set aside.
Sauté Turkey Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter. Add the turkey sausage, breaking it apart if necessary, and cook until lightly browned, about five minutes.
Add Onion and Garlic: Incorporate the diced yellow onion and minced garlic into the skillet with the turkey sausage. Cook for an additional two to three minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and fragrant.
Prepare and Add Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk cornstarch into the whole milk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the turkey, onion, and garlic. Simmer gently, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
Melt Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
Combine and Season: Add the cooked penne pasta and broccoli into the skillet and toss gently to coat everything evenly with the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with 2% milk and use reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
You can swap turkey sausage for chicken sausage or plant-based sausage for variation.
Make sure to add broccoli towards the end of pasta cooking to keep it tender-crisp and retain nutrients.
Serve this skillet meal with a simple green salad for a complete dinner.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cream turkey skillet, turkey sausage pasta, broccoli pasta skillet, one-pan dinner, cheesy turkey pasta, quick weeknight meal, easy skillet recipe