This Jamie Oliver turkey pasta is a creamy, comforting meal perfect for using up leftover turkey. With tender pasta, rich cheesy sauce, and nutritious spinach, it’s a quick and satisfying dish for busy weeknights. You can swap leeks for onions or use any greens you have on hand—flexible, simple, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 leek, thinly sliced
- 25g (1 oz) fresh lasagne sheets, cut into strips
- 100g (3.5 oz) breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 150g (5.3 oz) leftover turkey, shredded
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 300ml (1 ¼ cups) semi-skimmed milk (2% milk)
- 300ml (1 ¼ cups) boiling water
- 160g (5.6 oz) frozen spinach
- 25g (1 oz) Cheddar cheese, grated
How To Make Turkey Pasta
- Heat the leeks: In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced leek and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
- Toast the breadcrumbs: In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the breadcrumbs and stir until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
- Cook the turkey: Add the shredded turkey to the leeks and cook for 2–3 minutes until warmed through.
- Make the sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the turkey mixture and stir well. Gradually add the milk while stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce. Pour in the boiling water and mix well.
- Add spinach and pasta: Stir in the frozen spinach and let it cook for a few minutes until defrosted. Add the fresh lasagne strips and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese over the dish and stir until melted and creamy.
- Serve: Top with the crispy breadcrumbs and serve hot.
Recipe Tips
- Slice the leek thinly: This helps it cook evenly and soften quickly, adding a mild sweetness to the dish.
- Toast breadcrumbs until golden brown: This gives a crispy texture that makes the dish extra delicious. Don’t skip this step!
- Stir the flour well: When making the sauce, mix the flour thoroughly with the turkey before adding milk to prevent lumps.
- Let the cheese melt fully: Stir in the Cheddar cheese until completely melted for a smooth, velvety sauce. Don’t rush this step!
How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Turkey Pasta cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Place the pasta in a pan over low heat, adding a little milk or water to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally and heat for 5–7 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 ⅔ cups)
- Calories: 246
- Total Fat: 5.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9g
- Total Carbohydrate: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.7g
- Sugars: 6.3g
- Protein: 20.6g
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