Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 ounces whole wheat ziti or penne pasta
- 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Spread half of the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, then half of the ricotta mixture (dropping spoonfuls over the sauce). Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers with remaining pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta mixture. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra vegetables, add chopped bell peppers or spinach to the meat sauce.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half with the tomatoes.
- This dish freezes well. Assemble the bake and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg