Turkey Bake with Whole Wheat Pasta

My husband and I LOVE pasta, but with our new diet and exercise plan, pasta is not our friend, so here's a way to make it a little easier for us to enjoy our faves!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 478 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste
• 1 (1 pound) package whole-wheat penne pasta
• 1 (16 ounce) container low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
• 1 (13.5 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Step 2

Stir the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl; set aside on counter to allow to come to room temperature.

Step 3

Bring a pot of water to a boil; cook the penne in the boiling water until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Step 4

While the pasta cooks, place a skillet over medium heat. Crumble the turkey into the skillet; cook and stir until the turkey is completely browned. Drain and add to the pasta.

Step 5

Spread 2 tablespoons of the spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking dish; stir the rest of the spaghetti sauce into the pasta and turkey mixture. Spoon about half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish; top with the cheese mixture and spread into an even layer. Spread the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese layer. Cover with aluminum foil if desired.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until slightly brown on top, about 30 minutes.