Description

This creamy turkey broccoli skillet combines tender penne pasta, fresh broccoli florets, and savory turkey sausage in a rich and cheesy sauce. With a quick stovetop preparation, it’s a comforting one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights, delivering balanced flavors and wholesome ingredients in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

8 ounces penne pasta
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
13.9 ounces turkey sausage
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Dairy & Sauce

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Seasonings

Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)

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 to soften them. Drain the pasta and broccoli together and set aside.
Sauté Turkey Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the turkey sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, and sauté until it is lightly browned, about five minutes.
Cook Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the turkey sausage. Cook together for an additional two to three minutes until the onion softens and becomes fragrant.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the whole milk until fully dissolved. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the sausage and vegetables. Simmer gently while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine and Season: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli into the skillet with the cheesy sauce. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot.

Notes

To make this dish lower in fat, substitute whole milk with 2% or skim milk and use reduced-fat cheese.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the sausage and onions.
You can swap the penne pasta with other short pasta shapes such as rotini or rigatoni.
Use turkey sausage with your preferred seasoning level, such as spicy Italian or mild breakfast style.
Leftover skillet can be stored in an airtight container 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: creamy turkey skillet, turkey sausage pasta, broccoli cheddar skillet, one pan dinner, easy weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta skillet