Turkey Baked Ziti with Spinach & Carrots
A healthier spin on the classic baked ziti layered with melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The homemade tomato sauce incorporates ground turkey breast and a serving of spinach and shredded carrots to make this a family-friendly, balanced, and low cost way to feed a crowd!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey meat i used turkey breast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ cup yellow onion chopped
- 3 clove garlic minced
- ¾ cup carrot shredded
- 7 oz fresh spinach a package of frozen is ok too!
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 28 oz can of peeled whole tomatoes San Marzano preferred
- 15 oz can of tomato puree or sauce San Marzano preferred
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- 1 lb pasta tube shaped like ziti or rigatoni
- 1 tsp kosher salt or more, to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley or 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil or 1 tsp dried basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Heat olive oil in large skillet, over medium heat. Add onion and grated carrots and saute til softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and saute 1 minute. Then add ground turkey and cook throughout. stirring to break up clumps, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add wine and let boil for about 2 minutes
- Add whole tomatoes and tomato puree/sauce to skillet. Use a spoon to break up whole tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, basil, and parsley. Simmer sauce for 20 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Boil water and cook pasta to just barely al dente. Cooking will continue will pasta is baking, so undercooking with prevent an overcooked, mushy final result. When done, drain pasta and set aside.
- Taste test your sauce and make any adjustments to seasoning. Add spinach leaves, let wilt. Add undercooked pasta and ricotta cheese to skillet. Stir to incorporate.
- Pour into your prepared large baking dish. Layer the top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cook baked ziti and bake in the oven until and cheese is melted, gooey, and bubbly. Should be less than 20 minutes.
- If you would like to brown top layer, bump up temperature to 450° for less than 5 minutes and stay close by to montior and prevent burning.
- Serve immediately and ENJOY.
Notes
Nutrition Facts are estimates!
Nutrition
Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 28gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 539mgPotassium: 727mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4947IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!