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A close-up of a skillet filled with a cheesy one pan pasta dish, topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley.

Hearty Ground Turkey Ditalini Soup

A comforting and wholesome soup featuring lean ground turkey, tender ditalini pasta, and a savory tomato-herb broth packed with vegetables, perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

For the Soup
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 6 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup ditalini pasta or other small pasta like elbow macaroni or orzo
  • 2 cups fresh spinach packed, optional
For Serving
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Dutch Oven or Soup Pot
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's Knife
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula

Method
 

Prepare Ingredients
  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Remove turkey from the pot and set aside.
  2. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the same pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add minced garlic and tomato paste, cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Simmer the Soup
  1. Stir in diced tomatoes (undrained), chicken broth, water, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Add Turkey and Pasta
  1. Return the cooked ground turkey to the pot. Add the ditalini pasta. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente, about 7-9 minutes, or according to package directions.
Finish and Serve
  1. If using, stir in fresh spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  2. Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

This soup reheats wonderfully! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the sautéing step for more variety.