
Express paprika turkey noodles with light spinach lemon cream
A quick and original noodle dish with browned turkey, fresh spinach, and a light creamy sauce brightened with lemon and paprika. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 250 g dried tagliatelle (or fettuccine)
- 300 g ground turkey (preferiblemente magro)
- 120 g fresh spinach (lightly packed)
- 90 g cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 180 ml chicken or vegetable broth (hot)
- 80 g red onion (in strips finas)
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 unit lemon (zest fina and 2 tbsp of juice)
- 1.5 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 15 ml olive oil
- 5 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 30 g grated Parmesan cheese (more extra for servir, optional)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add half of the salt. Cook the tagliatelle according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the pasta water, then drain.
- 2
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using a temperature-controlled surface, cook at about 350°F/175°C.
- 3
3. Add the red onion and cook for 2 minutes until it starts to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring so it does not burn.
- 4
4. Add the ground turkey, sweet paprika, dried oregano, the remaining salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until the turkey is fully cooked and no longer pink. It should reach 165°F/74°C in the center.
- 5
5. Add the fresh spinach in batches and stir for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Pour in the hot broth, then add the cream cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- 6
6. Reduce to medium heat and stir for 2 minutes until the sauce is smooth. If it seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is light and creamy.
- 7
7. Add the drained tagliatelle and grated Parmesan. Toss well for 1 minute so the noodles are evenly coated.
- 8
8. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or a few extra drops of lemon if desired. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if you like.
Chef tips
For a silkier sauce, stir the cream cheese with a few spoonfuls of hot broth before adding it to the skillet. Do not overcook the spinach so it keeps its color and freshness.
Substitutions
You can swap the turkey for ground chicken. Parmesan can be replaced with Grana Padano. For a lactose-free version, use lactose-free cream cheese and hard cheese. If preferred, use gluten-free pasta and vegetable broth.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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