Homemade Ground Turkey Pasta Bake (Printable)
Lean ground turkey and pasta in a rich, cheesy tomato sauce, baked until golden and bubbly. An easy, protein-packed dinner the whole family will love.
# 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 - 1 (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 oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
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 - Pour in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer for 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the turkey sauce. Mix in half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan until well combined.
08 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is completely melted and bubbling around the edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lean turkey keeps it light while still feeling incredibly satisfying
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day, making it perfect for lunch
02 -
- Dont overcook the pasta initially or it will turn mushy after baking
- Letting the dish rest for those five minutes is crucial for clean servings
03 -
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated for better melting
- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining in case you need to loosen the sauce