Description
This hearty Pasta Pesto Soup with Turkey and Spinach is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal that combines the freshness of pesto, tender ground turkey, nutritious spinach, and delicate orzo pasta. Perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner, this recipe is simple to prepare and offers a balanced blend of protein, greens, and carbs in a savory broth accented with a touch of lemon and optional creamy ricotta.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea or table salt, more to taste
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup pesto, store-bought or homemade, plus more for serving
- 1 quart vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo or macaroni
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 1 lemon, halved
Optional Garnish
- Whole-milk ricotta, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat until warm, about a minute. Add the olive oil and heat until it thins, around 30 seconds. Add the chopped onion, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is very soft and begins to brown at the edges, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Cook the turkey: Add the ground turkey and pesto to the pot. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook until it is browned in spots, roughly 4 to 7 minutes.
- Simmer the soup and add pasta: Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to develop flavor, seasoning with additional salt and crushed red pepper as needed. Add the orzo or macaroni pasta during the last 10 to 12 minutes of cooking, following the pasta package instructions for timing.
- Add spinach and lemon: Stir in the baby spinach and simmer until the spinach is wilted and tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice into the pot to brighten the flavors, adding as much as you prefer.
- Serve with optional ricotta and extra pesto: If using, add dollops of whole-milk ricotta on top but do not stir it in. Allow it to warm for a minute or two. Serve the soup hot with extra pesto drizzled over each bowl.
Notes
- Use either vegetable or chicken broth depending on preference or dietary needs.
- Adjust crushed red pepper and salt to taste throughout cooking for desired heat and seasoning levels.
- Orzo or small macaroni work best for this soup because they cook quickly and hold shape.
- Ricotta is optional but adds a creamy element to balance the savory flavors.
- You can make pesto homemade or use high-quality store-bought for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pasta soup, pesto soup, turkey soup, spinach soup, Italian soup, one-pot soup, quick dinner
