Description
This comforting and nutrient-dense pasta bake is the perfect weeknight solution for busy families. By combining lean ground turkey meatballs, wholesome pasta, zucchini, and a vibrant tomato sauce, this one-dish wonder reduces cleanup time while delivering balanced, delicious flavors. Topped with a gooey mozzarella crust, it creates a satisfying texture that holds up beautifully for leftovers.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground Turkey (93% lean)
12 oz Penne or Fusilli pasta
2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 medium Zucchini, chopped into small cubes
28 oz Crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
1 tsp Dried oregano
1/4 cup Fresh basil, hand-torn
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a deep 9×13 baking dish with olive oil.
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey with half the garlic, half the onion, and half the oregano.
Form the mixture into walnut-sized meatballs using oiled palms.
Sear the meatballs in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned on all sides, then remove.
In the same skillet, sauté the remaining onion and the zucchini until softened.
Add crushed tomatoes and remaining oregano to the skillet, simmering for five minutes to develop the sauce.
Boil the pasta in salted water for two minutes less than package instructions.
Combine the cooked pasta, sauce, and meatballs in the prepared baking dish.
Top with an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden, then garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Ensure you cook the pasta slightly under al dente as it will continue to cook in the sauce while in the oven. The leftovers taste even better the next day after flavors have melded.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg