Ground Turkey Noodle Recipes: Hearty and Healthy Meals

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 11/26/2025

Craving cozy bowls that still feel light? Ground turkey noodle recipes hit that sweet spot. They’re warm, comforting, and easy to customize with veggies, herbs and simple sauces—perfect when you want feel-good food that fits a healthy lifestyle.

Using ground turkey instead of higher fat meats is a smart move if you’re following a heart healthy diet. Lean protein helps you feel more full after meals, while tomato-based sauces, herbs, and vegetables bring big flavor with minimal saturated fat and sodium. With the right add-ins—like whole-grain noodles, extra veggies, and yogurt-based sauces—these ground turkey and pasta recipes check all the boxes: quick, cozy and nourishing. There’s even a ground turkey sweet potato recipe that’s a healthier take on a traditional shepherd’s pie.

Here’s a roundup of our favorite ground turkey and noodle recipes plus a few bonus ideas from our library of healthy ground turkey recipes. You’ll find skillet sauces, meatballs and baked dishes your family will love—along with simple tips to make every meal a little lighter.

Why Make Ground Turkey Pasta Recipes?

Using lean turkey to make ground turkey pasta recipes lets you build hearty meals that still feel balanced. Cook with whole-grain or high-fiber noodles, pile on the vegetables, and season boldly with garlic, onions, mushrooms and fresh herbs. Adding olive oil or a swirl of yogurt adds richness without weighing you down.

Ground Turkey Noodle Recipes to Make Tonight

Need warm, comforting bowls that still feel light? These ground turkey noodle recipes come together fast for simple, heart healthy dinners.

  • Heart Healthy Turkey Bolognese
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    35 mins

    A lighter take on the classic meat sauce, this bolognese uses lean ground turkey simmered with mushrooms, carrots, peppers, garlic, rosemary and tomatoes, with a splash of red wine. Simply serve over your favorite noodles or zoodles. This is one of those healthy recipes with ground turkey that tastes slow-cooked but comes together quickly.

  • Turkey Meatballs and Gravy
    Photo Credit: iStock
    45 mins

    These tender meatballs are bound with whole wheat crumbs and a touch of milk, then finished in a silky mushroom gravy enriched with Greek yogurt. Spoon over no-yolk egg noodles for a cozy dinner that delivers classic comfort with a lighter twist.

  • Heart Healthy Mummy Meatloaf
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    75 mins

    This playful meatloaf mixes ground turkey with finely chopped veggies, parsley and whole-wheat crumbs, then gets “wrapped” in ribbons of cooked fettuccine for a fun finish. It’s family-friendly, budget-friendly, and a creative way to work pasta into a healthy ground turkey and noodle recipe. Wondering if meatloaf is healthy? Our dietitians have the answer.

More Healthy Recipes with Ground Turkey

Go beyond noodles with these ground turkey healthy recipes for burgers, chilis, sliders, and even a ground turkey sweet potato recipe with big flavor and a lighter touch.

  • Turkey Swedish Meatballs
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    180 mins

    Spiced meatballs (think allspice and nutmeg) simmer in a creamy, yogurt-based pan sauce that feels rich but stays weeknight-easy. Serve with noodles, mashed potatoes or steamed veggies—an excellent example of a ground turkey healthy recipe that still tastes indulgent.

  • Heart Healthy Turkey Sliders with Slaw
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    Juicy turkey patties are seasoned with garlic and a whisper of sriracha, then topped with a bright, crunchy slaw. It’s a fast and flavorful healthy turkey recipe to make on busy nights.

  • Heart Healthy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    90 mins

    Ground turkey mingles with onions, carrots, celery, peas and a savory tomato-broth gravy, then gets topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes. This ground turkey sweet potato recipe is a comfort classic in one hearty pan.

  • Low Sodium Turkey Chili
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    200 mins

    Lean turkey, kidney beans, onions, peppers and no-salt tomatoes slow cook with cumin and oregano for bold flavor without extra salt. Ladle over a small nest of whole grain pasta or serve alongside a green salad for a versatile, high protein dinner.

  • Heart Healthy Garlic Chili Turkey Burger
    Photo Credit: Kara Foran Photography, Baldwin Publishing
    35 mins

    Hoisin, chili-garlic sauce, ginger and jalapeño bring heat and umami to lean turkey, finished with a cooling yogurt topping and quick-pickled veggies. Serve on whole-wheat buns or skip the bun and toss the patty with warm noodles for a flexible take on a ground turkey pasta recipe.

How to Make Healthy Recipes with Ground Turkey

Small tweaks make a big difference. Here’s how to turn healthy ground turkey recipes into feel-good meals full of flavor:

  • Load the veggies. Mushrooms, carrots, peppers and leafy greens add texture and nutrients to your meal.

  • Pick better noodles. Whole-grain, legume-based, or high-fiber noodles bring staying power to ground turkey and pasta recipes.

  • Use smart richness. Olive oil, Parmesan cheese, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt give the meal something extra without the use of heavy cream.

  • Season in layers. Brown vegetables first, then simmer with meat to meld the flavors together.

Ground Turkey Noodle Recipes: Hearty, Healthy and Weeknight-Ready

With lean protein, colorful veggies, and satisfying noodles, these ground turkey pasta recipes can make dinner both comforting and heart-conscious. Keep a pack of ground turkey on hand, stock up on pantry staples like tomatoes and whole-grain pasta, and you’ll be set for simple, nourishing meals any time you’re craving comfort food.

Here are more ideas for healthy pasta and ground turkey recipes to make:

11 Heart Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

10 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes

8 Healthy Ground Turkey Meal Prep Ideas

Healthy Recipes Using Pasta for Meal Prep

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