Healthy Turkey & Penne Pasta Bake

Looking for a new, easy meal to rotate through your family’s favorites? This one was a winner at my family’s dinner table earlier this week and I had to share it with you!

I love that it’s a healthier version of a baked mostaccioli, but loaded with lean ground turkey, spinach and fresh tomatoes!

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb ground turkey

16 oz pasta sauce 

3 cups penne pasta (could also use chickpea pasta)

handful of spinach (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup grape tomatoes

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil 

1 tsp salt

black pepper to taste

1/2 tsp onion powder or 1/2 onion, diced 

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

Cook pasta al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Set aside

Heat a large skillet on medium and drizzle olive oil. Add ground turkey and cook for 7-10 minutes while breaking it up. A few minutes in, add spinach and tomatoes and seasoning. 

Spray a baking pan with olive oil spray. Add pasta, pasta water, pasta sauce, and ground turkey mixture. Mix together.  

Top with cheese and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly. 

If you plan to try this one, let me know in the comments below! And if you’ve already tried it, don’t forget to come back here and let me know if it was a success for your table, or if you made any additions/substitutions for your own taste and dietary needs.

Bon appétit!