Homemade Ground Turkey Pasta Bake (Printable View)
Lean ground turkey and pasta in a bubbling, cheesy tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners and meal prep.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta (use gluten-free if desired)
→ Meat
02 - 1 lb ground turkey
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
→ Sauce
07 - 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
08 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
09 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Cheese
12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
04 - Add diced onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the turkey. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened.
05 - Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 1 minute until just wilted.
06 - Pour in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the turkey sauce. Mix in half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until everything is evenly combined.
08 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, with lightly golden spots on top.
10 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Lean ground turkey keeps it lighter than beef but still incredibly satisfying
- Everything bakes together in one dish so cleanup is almost nonexistent
- The leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld
02 -
- Undercook the pasta by 2 minutes or it will turn mushy during baking
- The sauce should look a little loose before baking since the pasta absorbs liquid in the oven
- Letting it rest for 5 minutes is the difference between a neat scoop and a sloppy mess
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for smoother melting
- Line your baking dish with foil for the easiest cleanup of your life