Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
This baked ground turkey pasta recipe is packed full of protein and ready in 30 minutes. Serve it with a side of vegetables or salad with crusty bread for a quick, easy, and healthy dinner.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes -
Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 30 minutes
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Yield: 4 servings 1x -
Category: Dinner -
Method: Stovetop
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Cuisine: American
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:Ingredients
- 10 ounces shell pasta, dry (about 3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, marinara sauce, or tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta shells, and cook as per package directions until al dente. Once cooked, strain, and set aside.
- In a large oven-proof pan or cast-iron skillet on medium-high meat, warm the olive oil, then add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender. Then add the ground turkey to the pan and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, breaking the turkey up with a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is mostly cooked through and no longer pink.
- Reduce to medium heat, add the diced bell pepper to the pan, stirring to mix it into the cooked turkey mixture, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until tender, then add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce to the pan, stirring to incorporate it into the turkey mixture, and remove the pan from the heat. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Add the cooked pasta shells to the pan, stirring again until well incorporated with the turkey and tomato sauce mixture, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Transfer the pan to the oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. If desired, turn the oven to broil for 1-2 minutes until the top is lightly crispy and golden brown.
- Once cooked, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil as desired, and serve immediately.
- Any leftover ground turkey pasta bake can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
To Use Ground Beef or Ground Chicken: Swap the ground turkey for equal parts ground beef or chicken.
To Use Onion Powder: Swap the onion for 1 teaspoon onion powder and add it in step #4.
To Use Garlic Powder: Swap the garlic cloves for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in step #4.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 498 calories
- Sugar: 9 grams
- Fat: 17 grams
- Carbohydrates: 56 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Protein: 33 grams
Find it online: https://kaynutrition.com/ground-turkey-pasta-bake/
