This slow cooker 4-ingredient Amish beef broth turkey pasta is the kind of practical, cozy dinner that earns a regular spot in a busy weeknight rotation. The method is wonderfully simple: turkey legs go into the slow cooker, beef broth gets poured right over the top, and a couple more pantry-friendly ingredients turn it all into a rich, comforting pasta meal with very little hands-on work. It has that humble, hearty feel often associated with Amish-style home cooking, where simple ingredients and slow cooking come together to make something deeply satisfying.
Serve this turkey pasta with buttered green beans, a crisp side salad, or roasted carrots if you want to round things out. A piece of warm crusty bread or soft dinner rolls is especially good for soaking up the savory broth, and if you like a little contrast, applesauce or a lightly tangy cucumber salad pairs nicely with the richness of the turkey.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Amish Beef Broth Turkey Pasta
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 meaty turkey legs
4 cups beef broth
12 ounces egg noodles or other short pasta
1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Place the turkey legs in the slow cooker and pour the beef broth over the top. Sprinkle with the black pepper.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the turkey is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
3. Remove the turkey legs to a plate. Strip the meat from the bones, discard the skin and bones, and shred or chop the meat into bite-size pieces.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions until just tender. Drain well.
5. Return the turkey meat to the slow cooker and stir in the cooked pasta. Let everything sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the noodles can soak up some of the broth, then taste and adjust with a little extra pepper if needed before serving.
Variations & Tips
Add onion flavor: If you want a little more depth without making the recipe much more complicated, add a sliced onion to the slow cooker with the turkey legs. It cooks down into the broth and gives the whole dish a sweeter, richer flavor.
Use a different pasta shape: Egg noodles fit the cozy feel of this dish, but rotini, shells, or even broken fettuccine work well too. Just be sure to cook the pasta separately so it does not get overly soft in the slow cooker.
Make it meal-prep friendly: For busy weeks, cook the turkey a day ahead, shred it, and refrigerate it with some of the broth. When you are ready to eat, reheat the turkey and broth, stir in freshly cooked pasta, and dinner comes together fast.
Keep the broth balanced: Turkey legs can vary in size and saltiness depending on what you buy, so taste before serving. If the broth seems too strong, stir in a splash of water; if it needs more body, let it sit uncovered for a few minutes after adding the pasta.