Baked Ziti With Turkey Recipe

This comforting twist on classic baked ziti swaps ground beef for lean ground turkey, creating a lighter yet equally delicious casserole. Enjoy layers of perfectly cooked ziti pasta, creamy ricotta, savory turkey, and rich marinara sauce, all topped with bubbly mozzarella cheese. A perfect weeknight meal or crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 65 mins
Calories 393.6 kcal
Protein 46g
Rating 3.8 (4 Reviews)
Baked Ziti With Turkey

Recipe Actions

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

Ingredients for Baked Ziti With Turkey

  • Ziti Pasta
  • Ground Turkey
  • Ricotta Cheese
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Fresh Parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pasta Sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make Baked Ziti With Turkey

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook 1 pound ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, brown 1 pound ground turkey over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in 1 (24 ounce) jar of your favorite marinara sauce.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well.
  6. Add the ricotta mixture and half of the remaining marinara sauce to the cooked turkey. Gently stir to combine.
  7. Add the cooked ziti pasta and toss gently to coat evenly.
  8. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta mixture.
  9. Pour the mixture into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
  10. Top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
  11. Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Want to unlock deeper, more complex flavors? Try toasting your whole spices before grinding them, or blooming ground spices in a little warm oil to enhance their aroma. Deglazing your pan with a bit of stock, wine, or even water after browning ingredients can capture those tasty caramelized bits, adding richness to your dish.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

30 g

Sugar

28g

Fat

37g

Carbs

12g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)