Lighten Up With Canadian Turkey: Spring Veggie, Herb Pesto and Turkey Pasta
Turkey happens to be one of my favourite meats to serve my family. Whether it is a special occasion like Easter, or a normal weekday dinner, turkey is often on our menu. Whole Canadian turkey is an excellent choice for parties, family get-together’s, celebrations, and meals that feed a crowd.
Turkey is not only lean and nutrient-rich, it is considered a quality protein with about 30 grams of protein in every 100 gram serving. Turkey is also a lighter choice in comparison to other holiday meats. With all the delicious recipes available, your family won’t even realize you’re making healthier choices!
A great way to get more of this power protein in your diet is to “Try It With Turkey!” Simply swap in Canadian turkey for the meat protein in any of your favourite recipes. It is incredible how well turkey pairs with a variety of flavour profiles and seasonings.
Why Turkey?
…
Low in fat. Both light meat and dark meat are lean choices. Turkey breast is actually extra-lean, with 3 grams of fat per 100-gram serving. Dark meat is lean, with just 8 grams of fat per the same size serving.
Packed with protein. Each 100-gram serving has about 30 grams of high quality protein. This helps you feel energized and satisfied while helping to keep your muscles healthy and happy.
A Nutritional Powerhouse. Turkey has a whole lot of health-boosting nutrients per calorie. Dark meat is especially rich in nutrients.
Bursting with Vitamin B12. Turkey is an excellent source of vitamin B12. B12 is important for keeping your nervous system, the body’s electrical wiring, working well.
Chockfull of Niacin. Turkey is an excellent source of niacin. You need niacin every day to help convert the food you eat into usable energy for your body.
Naturally low in sodium. Since turkey is so flavourful that you don’t need to soak it in salty marinades like other holiday meats.
A lighter choice. Turkey is lower in fat and calories compared to some other holiday meats, such as prime rib, glazed holiday ham, or a pork shoulder.
Find out more at canadianturkey.ca/nutrition.
Visit your local butcher or grocer to find a variety of Canadian turkey parts that you can use in your next meal. Thighs, breasts, drumsticks, sausages, and ground turkey are all readily available. This makes it super easy to include turkey in everyday meals.
Be sure to give Canadian turkey a try for your upcoming celebration meals! Turkey is not only healthy and delicious, it is perfect for occasions like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, spring communions, confirmations, and graduations. Canadian Turkey makes it simple to lighten up your meals. Check out www.canadianturkey.ca for all your cooking inspiration!
Spring Veggie, Herb Pesto and Turkey Pasta
This light and delicious recipe is a must-try, easy recipe for spring. Packed full of goodness and flavour, it might just become your new family favourite meal!
Spring Veggie, Herb Pesto and Turkey Pasta
Ingredients
Spring Veggie, Herb Pesto and Turkey Pasta
- 300 grams penne pasta
- 1 lb turkey breast, cut into 1 inch chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 1 bunch asparagus, 12-14 stalks
- 1 tbsp butter [optional]
For herb pesto:
- ¼ cup parsley
- ¼ cup basil
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- ½ garlic clove
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Season turkey with salt and pepper. Sauté in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Steam or boil asparagus until cooked through but still a little crisp, 5-7 minutes. Chop roughly.
- Cook peas according to package instructions.
- Make pesto: blend all ingredients with a food processor or hand blender. Pesto can be made ahead of time.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before you drain the pasta, make sure to reserve ½ cup of cooked pasta water.
- As soon as pasta is drained, toss with butter (if using), 1/3 cup pasta water, vegetables and pesto sauce. Add additional pasta water if pasta starts to dry out.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
TIP: Double or triple your pesto recipe to keep on hand. It makes a great sauce to top grilled turkey, steamed veggies or a salad. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days after you make it or up to 3 months in the freezer.
CANADIAN TURKEY
Stay up-to-date with Canadian Turkey by visiting their website. Also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube.
Use hashtag #TryTurkey to share your turkey inspired meals on and get inspiration from others!
Disclosure: Although this post is sponsored by Canadian Turkey, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Canadian Turkey. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, company, provider or party in question.
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Marlene J says
MOROCCAN TURKEY & VEGETABLE POT PIE
Marlene J says
This recipe seems pretty easy & would be pretty was a cool spring night dinner.
Elaine G says
I can add turkey to salads,soups and make quick wraps ahead of time to lighten up my meals.
Lilac says
Steamed veggies and salads are so good for growing kids. They’re so full of vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to thrive on.
Allie f says
I can add turkey to a wrap and make a nutritious, lean protein dense meal! Thanks!
Jonnie says
Ground turkey is a great replacement for ground beef in most recipes and it’s much lighter. The Turkey Spring Carbonara recipe on the website looks incredible!
HEIDI C. says
Ground turkey can be a less fat-filled. healthy alternative to ground beef in recipes.
dani@lifeovereasy says
I like to add leftover turkey to a fav salad and turn it into a meal.
Erinn Lishman says
I love turkey and would definitely use it to lighten my meals, especially as the weather gets warmer! There are some pretty awesome recipes on the site, especially the Smoky Citrus Turkey Taco Salad and the Turkey Apple and Kale Grain Salad that would be great to add to my meal plan!
Raquel says
Adding turkey to any meal helps to keep sodium & fat low, but not lose the protein needed. For example, making turkey burgers is much healthier than using pork or beef ground meat. Turkey bacon, turkey meatballs, turkey sandwiches, lasagna or chili made with ground turkey, etc. The Oven-Baked Turkey Eggplant Parmesan recipe at Canadian Turkey looks delicious – I want to try that next!
Florence Cochrane says
I love soup. The Rustic Colombian Turkey soup looks delicious to lighten up a meal.
Shirley S says
I can use ground turkey instead of ground beef to make delicious turkey tacos.
Tina L. says
I would add turkey to a wrap or salad.
Ira says
I’d make a light sandwich with lots of veggies.
Debbie S. says
Removing the skin from turkey is a simple way to add deliciousness but certainly lighten up my meals and snacks too. I want to try the TURKEY APPLE & KALE GRAIN SALAD, sounds delicious. Yes hubby and I both love kale.
Melinda says
I would make turkey tacos to lighten up our meals!
Pam says
I could use turkey to make some salad meals such as the TURKEY APPLE & KALE GRAIN SALAD
lori butler says
I would say the oven baked turkey eggplant parmesan, ( i love eggplant)
Tara Betterley says
I would like to make TURKEY SPRING CARBONARA
Linda svarovsky says
I would make turkey tacos
Julia Maycock says
Turkey apple and kale grain salad looks yummy
Carol M says
I would use turkey instead of beef to make spaghetti and meatballs.
Linda says
I would make the Oven-Baked Turkey Eggplant Parmesan to lighten my meal. I would usually use a red meat, like beef, with this.
Alison G says
I would lighten up my meal by making Turkey Apple & Kale Grain Salad
Cheryl Almas says
Oven baked turkey eggplant parmesan sounds awesome.
Francine says
I would add cooked turkey strips to my salads to add some protein.
wendy hutton says
you can add it to soups, pasta, casseroles or our favorite turkey tacos
Glogirl says
I can use turkey to lighten up my meals by substituting ground turkey for ground beef in my favourite slow cooker lasagna recipe.
Stephanie says
I can lighten up my meals with turkey as it is a healthier option than other meats. There are tons of nutritious recipes on their website that I can try for my family. I can incorporate turkey into a wrap or even a salad!
Betty S says
I would make the Oven-Baked Turkey Eggplant Parmesan to lighten my meal. Not using pasta will make it much healthier
Rhonda W G. says
I like to make turkey chili for my family…
Heather says
Oh yum 🙂 I love that it has asparagus 🙂
Carole D. says
I can add turkey to my soups and salads to lighten up my meals.
Dianne G. says
I would lighten up my spring meals by making the Grilled Thai Turkey Salad Rolls With Enoki Mushrooms & Peanut Sauce. They would make a perfect lighter meal.
Mandy says
I would use turkey in homemade meatballs for a leaner, healthier version for the family.
Debbie White Beattie says
Turkey is much leaner than other meat so using turkey can lighten up any meal but especially if you use it in a salad.
Juliee Fitze says
I can use it to make my sausage balls with their recipe with apples and pork.
Janet M says
I learned how to make Greek turkey pizza and to substitute ground turkey for hamburger in casseroles.
Krista M says
For a more filling, protein-filled salad, but still light and fresh for spring, I would use turkey in salads like the Turkey Cobb & Turkey Club salads.
Jolie says
I can replace meat with turkey 🙂
Jenness M says
I bake turkey breast and put in salads rather than having beef or pork with it.
MaryG says
I like to use turkey instead of beef to make spaghetti and meatballs.
lynn clayton says
i make rye turkey lettuce sandwiches
Bruke B says
I use ground turkey for my chilli’s, taco’s and spaghetti sauce. It’s better for you and has less fat. Thanks
Julie bolduc says
I would use ground turkey instead of beef for my mom’s meatball subs
Rebecca Roberts says
I can use turkey instead of beef to make spaghetti and meatballs!
Jenn Beckett jennpup says
I use turkey in my meatloaf (lentils, too). I love the turkey lentil lettuce wraps idea on the website.
Andrea says
I love to add turkey to my salads!
LILLIAN BROWN says
I can add turkey to a wrap and make a nutritious, healthy, tasty lunch.
Angela September says
we switched from ground beef to turkey in all our chili, pasta sauces, tacos and wraps and it is much more delicious and much healthier!!
toni v says
I love the flavour of turkey and the iron content (higher than chicken!)
kristen visser says
I would definitely make turkey wraps! those smoked turkey wraps look absolutely delish
Christine Holliday says
I actually like turkey bacon! yum…
Christine D says
The GRILLED TURKEY SCALLOPINI WITH KALE WALNUT PESTO looks delicious! I love turkey the protein is so high and it’s so lean!
Amy C says
I can use turkey to light up my meals by using turkey in my pasta.
Maria says
I can use my leftover turkey for wraps
SweetPanda says
I can use turkey to make RUSTIC COLOMBIAN TURKEY SOUP
tracy k says
i use it for sandwiches
Patrick Siu says
Extra Crispy Roast Turkey look so easy to make.
Jenn says
I can use turkey to add more protein to meal, and to lighten up a meal that typically uses fattier red meat or carbs. I like the idea of the Mini Pizza Meatloaves recipe.
Maximilian says
Some turkey with eggs in a tortilla and cheese is light and good tasting.
Jenny B says
We could lighten up a taco meal by using ground turkey instead of beef, to make Shredded Turkey Tacos.
Lisa says
I can lighten up a casserole dish by using more lean turkey in place of the pasta or rice.
Suzie B says
I could lighten up my meal by making turkey meatballs instead of beef for spaghetti
dave says
add turkey to a wrap and make a nutritious meal!
Jenny Major says
I can add turkey to a wrap
Karla Sceviour says
I can make turkey burgers on the bbq for a light tasty meal!
Sunshine G says
It would be an easy switch for ground beef in chili.
Amanda Fontaine says
You can add it to soups, pasta, casseroles or turkey tacos to lighten up a meal.
Tim Strieder says
Make turkey burgers on the bbq for a light tasty meal!
Judy Cowan says
I can lighten up by using ground turkey to make my burgers this summer, the recipe for Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers sounds good.
Maritess says
I would use ground turkey to my grilled burgers. Soups and casseroles with turkey can also make meals awesome.
ivy pluchinsky says
I would make turkey tacos or turkey wraps!
leana says
I will make turkey meatballs instead of beef to lighten up!
KellyPC says
I’d love to try the Grilled Turkey Scallopini with Kale Walnut Pesto!
Nicole Jubleew says
I could add Turkey to some of my favourite light Spring meals like quiche or omelettes.
Tracy D says
Ground turkey makes a great and healthy chili.
Amie says
Its so much healthier then the beef and taste just as good , i seen a recipe I have to make APPLE, CARAMELIZED ONION GLAZED TURKEY DRUMSTICKS!
BlessedTA says
I will make Turkey Vegetable Soup
Christy E says
I would subsitute ground turkey for ground beef in my spaghetti.
Julie-Lynne McCann says
we love turkey on our salad & avocado …so delicious
BobbiJo pentney says
I can trust turkey to give me the protein I need and not the fat that I don’t want.
Lucy says
You can add it to soups!
chelsea van tol says
turkey poutine
em says
I could use it in my pasta instead of using beef
Gillian Morgan says
I can use leftover turkey for wraps and sandwiches. I can also use it for turkey pot pie.
Kim Stenner says
I can use turkey in our stir fry. The Ginger Turkey Stir-Fry sounds very tasty.
Pat says
Ground turkey in chili! Lightens up the caloric count without sacrificing taste.
shane smith says
we can definitely start using ground turkey as an alternative to ground beef in tacos, chilis and pasta sauces!
Robyn Bellefleur says
I would use shredded turkey in our tacos for Taco Tuesdays to lighten things up.
Afinn says
I use turkey for tacos!
LUZVIMINDA GUNTER-SMITH says
I can add turkey as topping to my salad, tacos, chilling nd pasta sauce.yummy