Let’s be real—Italian food kinda owns the comfort food universe. But what if you could have all those dreamy, garlicky, saucy flavors without the heavy meats or calorie guilt? Enter: Italian ground turkey recipes. Yup, turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving sandwiches or sad meal-prep bowls anymore. It’s lean, it’s versatile, and it absorbs Italian flavors like it was born in Naples.
Whether you’re craving cheesy pasta, cozy soups, or crispy skillet meals, this lineup gives you 15 Italian ground turkey recipes you’ll want to make every week. Like, literally. Meal prep? Covered. Weeknight dinners? Done. Impress-the-in-laws night? You’ll look like a genius.
Grab a fork, friend. Let’s feast. (And yes, wine is always allowed.)
1. Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Basil Sauce
These juicy turkey meatballs soak in a garlic-forward tomato sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. Spoiler: it didn’t.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Garlic
- Dried oregano & basil
- Crushed tomatoes
- Olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, and herbs.
- Roll into meatballs.
- Brown in olive oil.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and simmer 15–20 minutes.
- Serve over spaghetti or zucchini noodles.
Why You’ll Love It
This hits every Italian craving without the grease bomb. Pair it with crusty bread or eat the meatballs straight out of the pot. I won’t judge.
2. Turkey Bolognese with Pappardelle
Forget the beef—this turkey version is lighter but just as rich.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Onion, celery, carrot
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes
- Garlic
- Red wine (optional but… please)
- Pappardelle pasta
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté chopped veggies in olive oil.
- Add turkey, cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, wine, and tomatoes.
- Simmer 25–30 minutes.
- Serve over pasta, top with Parm.
Why You’ll Love It
This sauce hugs the pasta like a warm Italian grandma. Meal-prep friendly and freezable. Win-win.
3. Italian Turkey Sausage Patties
Homemade sausage without mystery ingredients? Yes please.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Fennel seeds
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Form small patties.
- Pan-sear until golden.
- Serve with eggs or stuff in sandwiches.
Why You’ll Love It
Breakfast, lunch, dinner… this one does it all. IMO, better than store-bought turkey sausage any day. 🙂
4. Turkey Lasagna with Ricotta & Spinach
All the layers, none of the regret.
Ingredients
- Lasagna noodles
- Ground turkey
- Marinara sauce
- Ricotta
- Mozzarella
- Spinach
- Italian seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook turkey, mix with marinara and spices.
- Layer noodles, sauce, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella.
- Repeat like you’re building a delicious cheesy wall.
- Bake at 375°F for ~35 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
This is Sunday dinner + leftovers heaven. And no one will miss the beef.
5. Creamy Tuscan Turkey Skillet
One skillet. Fifteen minutes. Big flavor.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Garlic
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Spinach
- Heavy cream or coconut milk
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook turkey with garlic and seasoning.
- Toss in tomatoes and spinach.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan.
- Simmer until thick.
Why You’ll Love It
It tastes fancy AF—without any actual effort. Serve over rice, pasta, or eat with a spoon straight from the pan. (Guilty.)
6. Italian Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Colorful, cozy, and secretly healthy.
Ingredients
- Bell peppers
- Ground turkey
- Diced tomatoes
- Rice or quinoa
- Italian seasoning
- Mozzarella cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Slice peppers in half, remove seeds.
- Cook turkey and mix with rice, tomatoes, and seasoning.
- Stuff peppers and top with cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
They look impressive but are basically foolproof. Extra cheese = extra joy.
7. Ground Turkey Pizza Crumbles
Say hello to your new go-to topping.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Fennel
- Olive oil
- Tomato paste (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown turkey with herbs.
- Add tomato paste for richer flavor.
- Cool slightly and sprinkle on pizza.
Why You’ll Love It
Pepperoni who? This is herby, meaty goodness that doesn’t make your pizza greasy.
8. Italian Wedding Soup (Turkey Edition)
Light, brothy, and cozy—it’s a hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey meatballs
- Chicken broth
- Carrots, celery, onion
- Tiny pasta (orzo or acini di pepe)
- Spinach
- Parmesan
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Roll mini turkey meatballs.
- Simmer broth with veggies.
- Drop in meatballs and pasta.
- Add spinach at the end.
Why You’ll Love It
It feels indulgent but stays light. And those mini meatballs? Adorable and delicious.
9. Turkey & Mushroom Italian Sloppy Joes
Yup. Italian sloppy joes. Trust me.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Mushrooms
- Tomato sauce
- Garlic
- Italian herbs
- Rolls or ciabatta
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook turkey and chopped mushrooms.
- Add everything else and simmer.
- Pile onto toasted rolls.
Why You’ll Love It
Savory, messy, and totally worth it. Kid-friendly, adult-approved.
10. Turkey Zucchini Boats Parm-Style
Your low-carb cravings just found their soulmate.
Ingredients
- Zucchini
- Ground turkey
- Marinara
- Mozzarella
- Garlic
- Basil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Hollow zucchinis into “boats.”
- Cook turkey with garlic and marinara.
- Fill boats, top with cheese.
- Bake 20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
All the cheesy comfort of chicken parm, but lighter and veggie-forward. Win.
11. Italian Turkey & White Bean Stew
Thick, hearty, and spoon-worthy.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- White beans
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Rosemary & thyme
- Chicken broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown turkey with garlic.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Simmer 20–25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for cold nights—or lazy Sundays. Dip in bread or don’t. (Okay you should.)
12. Turkey Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes
Bright, fresh, and ridiculously good.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Pasta of choice
- Pesto
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Parmesan
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Roast tomatoes in olive oil until blistered.
- Cook turkey, toss with cooked pasta.
- Stir in pesto.
- Add tomatoes and cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s like summer in a bowl. And also dinner in 20 minutes.
13. Italian Turkey Meatloaf with Marinara Glaze
Old-school comfort meets modern upgrade.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Onion
- Parmesan
- Marinara sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, cheese.
- Shape into loaf.
- Brush with marinara.
- Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Moist, flavorful, and fantastic for leftovers. Sandwiches tomorrow? Yes.
14. Turkey & Spinach Stuffed Shells
Cheesy baked pasta you’ll make on repeat.
Ingredients
- Jumbo pasta shells
- Ground turkey
- Ricotta
- Spinach
- Mozzarella
- Marinara
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook turkey and spinach.
- Mix with ricotta.
- Stuff into shells.
- Cover with sauce and cheese.
- Bake 25–30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
This is the kind of dish that makes it look like you tried—even if you didn’t really.
15. One-Pot Italian Turkey Gnocchi
Gnocchi + turkey + sauce = weeknight hero.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Shelf-stable or fresh gnocchi
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Cream
- Mozzarella or Parmesan
- Basil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown turkey with garlic.
- Add gnocchi, sauce, and cream.
- Simmer until gnocchi softens.
- Top with cheese and basil.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s cozy, creamy, and done in one pot. Zero dishes? Okay maybe one—but still.
