Ingredients
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 cup pearled penne pasta
2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade, no alcohol)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
Cook penne according to package instructions using 2 tbsp olive oil; drain and set aside
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat
Brown ground turkey with onion and garlic
Stir in spinach until wilted; season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
In a large bowl, mix cooked turkey, spinach, and marinara sauce (avoid alcohol)
Layer half the mozzarella in a greased casserole dish
Top with half the cooked penne pasta
Spread turkey-sauce mixture evenly over pasta
Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and pasta
Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden
Notes
For halal meal prep, use certified halal turkey
Substitute ground chicken for lower fat option
Toss spinach with penne to ensure even distribution
Omit mozzarella and top with parmesan if preferring vegan adaptation
Store leftovers in airtight containers up to 4 days
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: High Protein Meals
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Italian
- Diet: High Protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 2/3 cups (1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg