This is a KID FAVORITE and is requested weekly. Super simple to throw together. I always try to keep my pantry stocked with these ingredients. Perfect for those busy weeknights. Most times I make ahead in the morning, cover and refrigerate until I’m ready. You’ll just need to tack on about 15 more minutes to the cooking time. It’s one of my go-to meals and something I feel good about serving to my family. It’s healthy + filling and flavorful. I’m certain once you make it, they’ll be asking for seconds.
TURKEY BAKED ZITI
Ingredients
- 1 lb Jennie-O Ground Turkey Meat
- 1 lb box Ziti pasta, whole wheat
- 15 oz Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg,slightly beaten
- 28 oz can organic crushed tomatoes
- 6 oz. can of organic tomato paste
- 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 8-10 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt + pepper
Instructions
- Boil pasta, drain and set aside. In a medium skillet brown turkey.
- In a large bowl combine crushed tomatoes + fresh herbs + tomato paste + salt & pepper to taste, and browned turkey meat.
- Add cooked ziti noodles and mix well. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine ricotta, egg, parmesan cheese, 1/2 of mozzarella cheese and onion and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Layer 1/3 of turkey/ziti mixture, and dot with spoonfuls of ricotta all over 1st layer.
- Repeat two more times. Cover with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes after cooking.
- Just add garlic bread + salad, and dinner is DONE!
photo: ©2016livingwithlandyn
is that 3/4 of garlic powder i am assuming? just says "powder" thanks!!
Hi Joyce! Yes. Garlic powder. Sorry, fast fingers. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. All fixed!
I’m making it tonight!
Landyn
Thanks Landyn….Just finished making this and popping it into the oven now. My 13yr old boy helped make it….he added a little dash of Cayenne to the tomato mixture. Love your site! Congrats.
That’s great! I love having my kiddos in the kitchen. I feel they’ll try more this way too. I like that he added SPICE. My kind of guy! Thank you! Xx
This was SOOO good- love the simplicity of the canned tomatoes/tomato paste vs. using a canned spaghetti sauce. Used spicy chicken sausage and threw in a ton of red pepper flakes. Delicious and great leftovers! Will be making next time I have company!
Me too. I try to stay away from jar sauce. I’m so happy you liked and have tried a few of my recipes. It’s an easy one! Everyone loves! Xx
Oh my goodness! My family loved it and everyone asked for seconds! Bummer I was hoping for leftovers for my lunch tomorrow! Yummy! Keep the family recipes coming.
This looks yummy! I have all of the ingredients so I’m making this tonight! Yum!
Thank you,
Jodi
so so good! just made this on a cold, rainy day in Connecticut. leftovers for the rainy weekend! thx xo
OMG this is such a yummy recipe! I’ve made it a few times now and always get rave reviews. Thanks for sharing! I posted a recent pic on Instagram of the dish when I made it and tagged you. I’m @lizzdesigns77 on Instagram if you want to check it out. I adore your Instagram feed and Insta Stories. 🙂
Is this freezer friendly? If so, at what temp and how long do you bake it after removing it?
I made this last night. It was amazing and my husband loved it too! Thank you.
Making this tonight! Score! LONG LIVE LANDYN!
Hi Landy 🙂 I was trying to remember the edit you mentioned in your Insta-story a while back with rave reviews from your kiddos… Did you add another layer of mozz? Thank you for your time (& blog posts)!
I made this for dinner last night with spaghetti noodles like you did on your insta story and it was delicious!! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Love the recipe! Do you know the serving size you used? Thanks!
Doubled the mozzarella cheese. Yay for cheese! 🧀
Made this and LOVE it!
Thank you!! It is a kid fav in our house too : )
Have 14 people coming into town for the weekend and going to the fire Home
Clemson game so I’m making this ahead and will be great for dinner on Sat night!! Checks all the boxes for this crowd: easy✅; kid friendly ✅; make ahead ✅ 🧡🧡🧡🧡
I’m making this tonight for a couples game night. Very excited to see how it turns out!
Oh YUM! I’m sure they’ll love!
Would you be able to freeze this and if so before or after cooking?
Absolutely! I would bake it and then let it cool before sticking it in the freezer!
[…] that are already in the freezer! We made Monique’s Spinach Pumpkin Lasagna and Landyn’s turkey baked ziti that will be easy to pop in the oven & eat off for a few days. We also whipped up […]
Might try it with turkey sausage. Thanks!
YUM- Let me know how it turns out!
Can’t wait to try this! I saw your Instagram story where you made this with chicken. What kind of chicken? The story is gone and can’t find it. Thanks Landyn!
Chicken breasts!
What size RAO spaghetti sauce did you use in the chicken version?
The classic marinara!