Ground Turkey Pasta Bake (Printable Version)

Comforting casserole with ground turkey, pasta, and bubbly cheese topping

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ 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 - 24 oz jar marinara sauce
08 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
09 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of olive oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, approximately 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain thoroughly 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 completely 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 until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
05 - Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 1 minute until just wilted.
06 - Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Mix in half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese until incorporated.
08 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top in an even layer.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown around the edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the casserole to set. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • Lean ground turkey makes it lighter than traditional beef versions without sacrificing flavor
  • The entire bake comes together in under an hour with minimal cleanup required
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, if they even last that long
02 -
  • Don't overcook the pasta initially since it will continue cooking in the oven and could turn mushy
  • Letting the dish rest for five minutes after baking helps portions hold together better when serving
  • The baking time may vary slightly depending on how cold your ingredients were before assembling
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan from a wedge instead of buying pre-grated for better melting and flavor
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add a splash of pasta cooking water before baking to keep everything moist

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