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Healthy Baked Ziti with Turkey and Veggies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 75 reviews

This Healthy Baked Ziti with Turkey and Veggies is a comforting and nutritious Italian-inspired casserole featuring lean ground turkey sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a blend of marinara and vodka sauces. Baked to perfection with gooey mozzarella and parmesan, this dish balances wholesome ingredients with rich flavors, making it a delicious weeknight dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 lb ziti noodles
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb ground turkey sausage
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped into small chunks
  • 8 oz petite baby bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (divided; Rao’s used)
  • 2 cups vodka sauce (divided; Rao’s used)

Greens and Cheeses

  • 2–3 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Garnish

  • Fresh basil, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking your ziti.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Sauté Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground turkey sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add chopped onion, zucchini, and sliced mushrooms and sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add Sauces and Greens: Pour in 1 cup of marinara sauce and 1 cup of vodka sauce into the skillet with the meat and vegetables. Stir well to combine and simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Add the baby spinach leaves and cook until just wilted.
  5. Combine with Pasta and Cheeses: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat and vegetable sauce mixture, remaining 1 cup each of marinara and vodka sauces, and the cottage cheese (or ricotta). Mix well ensuring the cheese is evenly distributed.
  6. Assemble the Bake: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the parmesan cheese over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving to add a bright, flavorful finish.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey sausage with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
  • Use ricotta cheese if cottage cheese is not available for a creamier texture.
  • For extra veggies, consider adding bell peppers or spinach to the sauté step.
  • If you like more spice, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully.

Keywords: baked ziti, healthy baked pasta, turkey sausage recipes, vegetable pasta bake, low fat Italian recipe

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/healthy-baked-ziti-with-turkey-and-veggies-recipe/