Turkey Meatball Pasta Bake
Indulge in the savory comfort of a Turkey Meatball Pasta Bake, a hearty and wholesome dish perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. This recipe features tender, flavorful turkey meatballs seasoned with Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, nestled in a bed of al dente penne pasta and smothered in rich marinara sauce. Topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese, it’s baked to golden perfection for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. With a quick 20-minute prep time and a bake that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas, this cheesy pasta bake is ideal for feeding the family or meal prepping for busy days. Serve it straight from the oven, garnished with fresh parsley, and enjoy a comforting, protein-packed meal that feels as indulgent as it is nutritious!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a plate or baking sheet.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. They do not need to be fully cooked through. Remove meatballs and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and return the pasta to the pot.
Add marinara sauce and the browned meatballs to the pasta. Gently mix to coat everything evenly.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and distribute evenly.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
455 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.5 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 115 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 911 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.7 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.4 g | ||
| Protein | 31.2 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 338 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 68 mg | 1% | |
*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.
