Description
This Homemade Ground Turkey Pasta Bake is a cozy and flavorful casserole made with lean ground turkey, pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheese. It’s a healthier twist on classic comfort food and perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or freezer-friendly meals.
Ingredients
12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon.
6. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese.
8. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
9. Top with remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use any short pasta like fusilli or ziti if penne isn’t available.
Undercook pasta slightly to avoid mushiness after baking.
Add red pepper flakes for a spicier version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 65mg