Description
This nutritious and protein-packed ground chicken pasta is a fantastic weeknight meal that the whole family will love. By using lean ground chicken instead of heavier red meats, this dish offers a lighter, savory flavor profile. With aromatic garlic, a simple tomato sauce, and fresh baby spinach, it comes together in just thirty minutes for a balanced, restaurant-quality dinner at home.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz low-sodium tomato sauce
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water over high heat.
Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions.
Drain the pasta while reserving a half cup of cooking liquid.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ground chicken to the skillet and break into small crumbles.
Sauté until the chicken is browned and no pink remains.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Fold in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
Add the cooked pasta and a splash of reserved liquid to the sauce, tossing to combine.
Notes
Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce cling better to the noodles if it gets too thick. You can swap the spinach for kale or add mushrooms for extra heartiness. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg