Baked Ziti with Turkey
Savor the comforting flavors of this hearty Baked Ziti with Turkey, a wholesome twist on the classic Italian-American favorite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing gatherings, this dish combines tender ziti pasta with a rich, aromatic tomato and ground turkey sauce infused with garlic, onion, and a medley of Italian herbs. Layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan, it’s baked to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour. This recipe not only bursts with flavor but also delivers a lighter, protein-packed alternative to traditional baked ziti. Serve it straight out of the oven with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of brightness and enjoy a cozy, satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Keywords: baked ziti with turkey, ground turkey pasta bake, hearty dinner, easy Italian recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or nonstick spray and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the meat sauce, stirring until well coated.
Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese over the top, spreading it out as evenly as possible. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan.
Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture on top. Repeat the layering process with the remaining ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
594 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.2 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.9 g | 69% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 119 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 1176 mg | 51% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.0 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.9 g | ||
| Protein | 41.1 g | 82% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 525 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 766 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
