Ground Chicken Pasta

The hearty aroma of simmering tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs fills your kitchen as this Ground Chicken Pasta comes together. With layers of flavor from slow-cooked fennel, rosemary, and oregano, this dish is far more than a weeknight meal—it’s the heart of comfort served in a bowl.

Tagliatelle noodles cling to the robust sauce, packed with savory ground chicken and tender vegetables. Garnished with shaven Parmesan and fresh basil, this is a wholesome dish that brings a rustic Italian flair to your table. Make it once, and it’ll quickly become a staple in your pasta night rotation.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground chicken
2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 ¼ tsp kosher salt
2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely minced, divided
2 Tbsp dried oregano
1 lb Tagliatelle Nest Pasta
¼ cup olive oil
3 large carrots, sliced (about 2 cups)
2 large stalks celery (about 2 cups)
1 large yellow onion, diced
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup white wine
2 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 (28 oz) can tomato puree
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
2–3 fresh bay leaves (or 4 dried)
2 Parmesan rinds (optional)
Fresh Parmesan cheese, to serve
Fresh basil, to serve

Directions:

Mix the crushed fennel seeds, pepper, salt, rosemary, and oregano in a small bowl. Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt until softened (10–12 mins).
Add garlic and tomato paste; cook for 4–6 minutes until the paste browns and becomes fragrant.
Add half the ground chicken and sprinkle with half of the seasoning. Layer remaining chicken and seasoning on top. Break the meat up with a spatula and cook for 10 mins.
Pour in white wine and scrape the bottom of the pot. Add broth, tomato puree, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, Parmesan rind, and more salt. Stir well. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 mins, stirring every 10–15 mins.
Meanwhile, cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Stir the reserved pasta water into the sauce. Toss the pasta with sauce for 5 mins before serving.
Serve hot, topped with shaven Parmesan and fresh basil.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Why Choose Ground Chicken?

Ground chicken is an underrated protein that brings a number of advantages to your dinner table. It’s leaner than ground beef and lower in saturated fat, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet. Despite its lighter profile, it still brings a hearty texture and richness to sauces, especially when it’s seasoned thoughtfully.

One of the best qualities of ground chicken is how well it absorbs flavors. In this recipe, it acts like a sponge for the fennel, garlic, oregano, and rosemary—all essential to achieving that traditional Italian flair. Ground chicken also cooks quickly, making it a go-to ingredient for weeknight meals when time is tight but you still want something home-cooked and nourishing.

Building Layers of Flavor

A standout red sauce isn’t just about tomatoes. What sets this recipe apart is the way it slowly layers in flavor. It begins with a classic Italian soffritto of onions, celery, and carrots—sautéed until soft and fragrant. Garlic and tomato paste are then added, with the paste allowed to caramelize just enough to deepen its flavor. These foundational steps create a savory base that makes all the difference.

Seasoning the meat in two layers ensures each bite is well flavored. Instead of dumping in all the chicken at once, it’s added in batches with herbs and spices sprinkled throughout. This approach not only enhances the overall taste but also ensures even cooking and a tender, juicy texture.

Once the wine and tomatoes are added, the sauce simmers low and slow—reducing down to a luxurious, thick ragu. This part of the process allows all the ingredients to meld into one cohesive and complex sauce, rich with umami and slightly sweet from the vegetables. The optional addition of Parmesan rinds gives it extra depth and saltiness, making it irresistible when paired with al dente pasta.

What Pasta to Use

Tagliatelle is recommended for this dish, and for good reason. The wide, flat noodles are sturdy enough to carry the weight of the thick sauce, creating the perfect bite every time. However, this recipe is flexible—pappardelle, fettuccine, rigatoni, or even spaghetti will work just fine.

If you’re going gluten-free, you can swap in a chickpea or rice-based pasta. The hearty sauce will still cling well to these alternatives, maintaining the integrity of the dish. For those watching carbs, you could even try serving it over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter version that still feels indulgent.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

To round out your meal, serve this pasta with a crisp house salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette or balsamic glaze. A side of warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up every bit of sauce left on the plate. If you’re entertaining or enjoying a special dinner at home, a glass of Chianti, Barbera, or Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with the tomato-forward sauce and herbs.

Finish it off with a light dessert—think panna cotta, lemon sorbet, or a simple bowl of fresh berries with cream—to cleanse the palate and end the meal on a refreshing note.

Meal Prep and Leftovers

One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead and meal-prep potential. The sauce stores exceptionally well in the refrigerator for up to five days and can be frozen for up to three months. Consider making a double batch and freezing half for a future meal. It reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to deepen.

This makes it a great option not only for weeknight dinners but also for batch cooking and meal planning. You can even store the sauce in single-serve containers for easy work lunches or lazy-day dinners.

Customizations and Variations

This recipe is a solid base that invites creativity. You can swap out ground chicken for ground turkey, beef, or pork, or even use a plant-based meat substitute for a vegetarian version. Want to add more vegetables? Mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers would be fantastic additions, adding more color and nutrition to the dish.

For those who like a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce as it simmers. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a spoonful of ricotta or a dollop of mascarpone stirred in just before serving adds creaminess and depth.

Looking for a dairy-free version? Simply skip the Parmesan and ensure your broth and pasta choices are compliant. The sauce is flavorful enough on its own that you won’t miss the cheese if you’re avoiding dairy.

Nutrition Benefits

Each serving of this Ground Chicken Pasta is hearty but balanced, offering a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. The use of fresh vegetables not only adds bulk and fiber but also vitamins like A and C. Opting for low-sodium broth and lean ground chicken helps to keep sodium and fat levels in check, while fresh herbs offer antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you’re focused on eating clean, you can feel confident in the ingredients used here—no preservatives, artificial flavors, or mystery components. It’s clean comfort food at its best.

Who Will Love This Dish

This pasta recipe is family-friendly and crowd-pleasing. Picky eaters will love the savory, familiar flavor of the red sauce, while foodies will appreciate the complexity from the layered aromatics and herbs. It’s perfect for:

Busy parents who need a reliable go-to meal
Dinner party hosts looking to impress with ease
Meal preppers who love batch-cooked freezer meals
Anyone craving comfort food without the heaviness

Its adaptability makes it a favorite across different dietary needs and taste preferences, earning it a regular spot in many home kitchens.

Conclusion: A Recipe Worth Keeping

Ground Chicken Pasta isn’t just another red sauce meal—it’s a reflection of how simple ingredients, treated with care and attention, can create something truly special. With a few pantry staples and some fresh herbs, you’re able to craft a dish that feels both comforting and gourmet.

It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again—whether it’s a rushed weeknight or a relaxed weekend dinner. As a bonus, it makes your kitchen smell incredible and leaves everyone at the table satisfied. For a healthier twist on classic Italian pasta with no compromise on flavor, this is the dish to bookmark and pass on to others.

Let it simmer, serve it hot, and don’t forget to save some for leftovers—you’ll thank yourself tomorrow.