Skinny Skillet With Turkey Sausage, Summer Vegetables & Geme

Name: Turkey Sausage Summer Skillet With Gemelli Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces gemelli pasta; 1 tablespoon avocado oil; 1/2 cup onion, minced; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced; 1/2 lb mild turkey sausage, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices; 1/4 cup dry red wine; 1 zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds; 1 cup tomatoes, chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped; 1/4 cup nonfat milk; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste); 1/4 cup reserved pasta water; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste

This turkey sausage skillet combines lean protein, fresh summer vegetables, and gemelli pasta in a light red wine and nonfat milk sauce. It's a complete one-pan dinner that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes with minimal fat and calories.

🏷️Poultry 🏷️Meat 🏷️< 30 mins

Skinny Skillet With Turkey Sausage, Summer Vegetables & Geme

Total

25 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Food.com · by Cooking Creation

Ingredients

8 ounces gemelli pasta
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1/2 cup onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/2 lb mild turkey sausage, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup nonfat milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gemelli and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/4 c of the pasta water. Drain the cooked gemelli and set aside.
2
Meanwhile, heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the turkey sausage and cook on both sides until brown, about 2 minutes per side. Deglaze the pan with the red wine, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom. Add the zucchini, tomato, basil, milk, Parmesan, and cayenne pepper. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3
Pour the cooked gemelli and reserved pasta water into the skillet and gently stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for 2 minutes longer.
4
Garnish with fresh basil.
5
Enjoy!

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Slice turkey sausage to 1/4-inch thickness so it cooks evenly and develops light browning on both sides—thicker slices may remain undercooked in the center.
Cook gemelli separately to al dente, then add to the skillet at the end. This prevents mushiness and gives you control over final texture.
Let the red wine reduce for 1-2 minutes after adding it to the skillet to burn off raw alcohol flavor before adding milk.
Stir in nonfat milk off-heat and at low temperature to avoid curdling; reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.

Substitutions

Gemelli → penne or fusilli (same cooking time, similar sauce cling)
Turkey sausage → chicken sausage or lean ground turkey (ground turkey needs 5-7 minutes to cook through)
Zucchini → yellow squash or bell peppers (maintain 1/4-inch thickness for even cooking)
Nonfat milk → half-and-half or light cream (increases calories but adds richness if preferred)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled skillet in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently on stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to restore sauce consistency.

Common Questions

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes. Penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work well. Avoid very long shapes like spaghetti, which won't coat evenly with the sauce in a skillet.

What type of turkey sausage works best?

Mild Italian turkey sausage is ideal. Look for links or bulk sausage with minimal added fat. Avoid hot or spicy varieties unless you prefer more heat.

Can I make this ahead?

Cook the pasta and vegetables separately, then combine with sausage and sauce just before serving. Store components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

How do I prevent the nonfat milk from curdling?

Remove the skillet from heat before adding milk, let it cool slightly, then stir in milk slowly while the pan is off the burner. Return to low heat only to warm through.