If you are craving a comforting, nutritious, and flavorful bowl of goodness, this Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta Recipe is the ultimate go-to. It perfectly balances lean protein, wholesome vegetables, and tender pasta in a fragrant, savory broth that warms you from the inside out. With fresh baby spinach adding a vibrant pop of color and lemon juice brightening every spoonful, this soup feels both hearty and light. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a meal to share with loved ones, it always delivers a satisfying taste and a nourishing hug in a bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simple, essential ingredients that each bring their unique contribution to the dish — flavor, texture, or color. From the aromatic celery and onion that build the soup’s base to the creamy cannellini beans and fresh spinach that create layers of nutrition, every component is a star in its own right.
- Olive oil: A healthy fat that adds richness and helps sauté aromatics evenly.
- Celery: Gives a subtle crunch and earthy flavor that rounds out the soup.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth, especially when browned slightly.
- Garlic: Infuses a punch of savory warmth that’s essential in soups.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend that layers herbal notes without overpowering.
- Ground turkey: Lean protein that keeps the dish light but satisfying.
- Cannellini beans: Creamy texture and protein boost that pairs beautifully with turkey.
- Carrots: Sweetness and a pleasant bite that adds color and nutrition.
- Chicken broth: The savory liquid foundation that ties all the flavors together.
- Water: Balances the broth for consistency and cooking the pasta perfectly.
- Fusilli or rotini pasta: Twisted shapes that trap broth and make each bite delightful.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the entire soup with a fresh, tangy zing.
- Fresh baby spinach: Wilts gently into the hot soup, adding vibrant green and nutrients.
- Salt & pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors.
How to Make Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Base Aromatics
Start by warming the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the finely chopped celery and onion, sautéing them for about 4 to 5 minutes. If the onion browns slightly, don’t worry—it adds a lovely depth of flavor. This base is essential because these vegetables release sugars and aromas that give the soup its soulful character.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Italian Seasoning
Next, stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking everything for another 30 seconds. This ensures the garlic softens enough to mellow its sharpness but still tastes vibrant, while the herbs begin to infuse their fragrant notes into the oil, prepping the flavors for the turkey.
Step 3: Cook the Ground Turkey
Add the pound of ground turkey to the pot. As it cooks over medium-high heat, use your spoon to break it up into smaller pieces, letting it turn mostly white—this usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes. Cooking it at this stage seals in juices and creates a tender meat base that will complement the veggies instead of overpowering them.
Step 4: Combine Beans, Carrots, and Broth
Once the turkey is ready, stir in the drained cannellini beans and sliced carrots. Pour in the chicken broth and water, increasing the heat to bring everything to a boil. Then, cover the pot loosely with the lid, reduce the heat, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes. This step lets the carrots soften and the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 5: Add Pasta and Finish Cooking
After simmering, stir in the uncooked fusilli or rotini pasta. Return the pot to a gentle simmer with the lid ajar, and cook for another 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. The pasta cooks directly in the broth, soaking up all those tasty juices for every bite.
Step 6: Brighten with Lemon and Spinach
Finally, mix in the lemon juice (feel free to add a little extra if you love a zesty punch) and the fresh baby spinach. Cook just a couple more minutes until the spinach wilts but still holds its vibrant green hue. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Remember, this soup is a little thirsty and absorbs broth fast, so keep extra chicken broth or water handy for reheating or adjusting consistency.
How to Serve Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese changes everything, adding a salty, nutty finish. You can also top your soup with a few croutons for crunch or a dash of freshly chopped parsley to brighten presentation and taste even more.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with a warm crusty bread or garlic breadsticks, perfect for dipping into the flavorful broth. A light side salad with lemon vinaigrette complements the soup’s zestiness and rounds out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a family-style dinner, serve the soup in colorful bowls with individual small plates of garnishes for everyone to customize. You can also ladle it into hollowed-out bread bowls for an extra cozy presentation that’s sure to impress guests and make dinner feel like a special occasion.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. Because the pasta absorbs broth, you might want to loosen the soup by stirring in a splash of chicken broth or water before reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes well, but for best texture, consider freezing the soup and pasta separately if possible. The broth and veggies can be frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months. When reheating, add freshly cooked pasta, or gently thaw and warm the entire soup with extra broth.
Reheating
Reheat in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding broth or water to loosen as the pasta continues to soak up liquid. Microwave reheating works too but do it in shorter bursts, stirring in between to heat evenly and prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works perfectly in this soup and will maintain the same lean protein profile and texture. Just be sure to cook it fully as you would ground turkey.
What pasta types work best?
Twisted shapes like fusilli or rotini are ideal because they trap broth and give you bursts of flavor in every bite. However, small shapes like elbow macaroni or shells also work beautifully.
Is this soup freezer-friendly with the pasta included?
Pasta tends to get mushy when frozen and reheated. For the best texture, freeze the soup without pasta and add freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground turkey with plant-based protein or simply add more beans and vegetables, and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep it hearty and delicious.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add a kick, toss in red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning or add a dash of hot sauce at the end. It pairs surprisingly well with the lemony freshness.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes you keep coming back to because it feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. It’s easy to prepare, versatile, and perfect for sharing or enjoying as a nourishing meal just for yourself. I highly recommend giving it a try—you might just find your new favorite comfort food!
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Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Ground Turkey Soup with Vegetables and Pasta is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for any day. It combines lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, cannellini beans, and pasta in a flavorful chicken broth base, enhanced with Italian seasoning and a splash of lemon juice for brightness. Easy to prepare and packed with protein and fiber, it’s an ideal wholesome soup that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 sticks celery, chopped finely
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 (14 ounce) can white beans (cannellini), drained
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
Liquids and Pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1.5 cups uncooked fusilli or rotini pasta
Finishing Touches
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or more, to taste)
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped celery and onion, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until the onion begins to brown slightly, which brings out its natural sweetness.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release their flavors without burning.
- Cook the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pot. Cook while breaking it up with a spoon until it mostly turns white, about 4-5 minutes, ensuring even cooking and browning.
- Add Beans, Carrots, and Liquids: Mix in the drained cannellini beans, sliced carrots, chicken broth, and water. Turn the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Then cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and carrots to soften.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked fusilli or rotini pasta to the soup. Cover the pot again with the lid slightly open and cook for another 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Finish with Lemon and Spinach: Stir in the lemon juice and fresh baby spinach. Let cook for 2 more minutes until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the soup thickens too much, add extra chicken broth or water, especially when reheating leftovers.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust lemon juice quantity to your preferred level of brightness.
- You can substitute fusilli or rotini with any short pasta shape you like.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; add extra broth when reheating as pasta tends to absorb liquid.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Ground turkey can be swapped for ground chicken or lean ground beef if desired.
