One Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake with Ground Turkey and Spinach

Are you looking for an easy dinner recipe that’s full of flavor and doesn’t take hours to make? Look no further than this One Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake with Ground Turkey and Spinach! This delicious dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made in just one pot!

Getting a healthy dinner on the table isn’t always easy, but one-pot recipes make those busy evenings a breeze. This cheesy pasta bake is great when you need something quick because it’s a full meal prepared with minimal dishes!

This recipe features orecchiette pasta which is a small, cup-shaped pasta that stacks on top of each other when baked, holding tiny pockets of delicious sauce. The sauce is made with simple ingredients like canned tomatoes, dried seasonings, and fresh garden basil.

This dinner recipe is easy and delicious enough to make on a busy weeknight, or it can be reserved for a slower Sunday dinner or for when you have guests! No matter how you enjoy it, this cheesy pasta bake will make it into your dinner recipe rotation in no time!

And if you enjoyed this simple one-pot meal, be sure to check out my One Pot Mexican Quinoa, One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta, Chicken Parmesan Baked Ziti or 20-Minute Instant Pot Pasta!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s easy to make with minimal dishes and is baked and ready in under one hour!
• The orecchiette pasta is a great carrier for the flavorful tomato sauce, ground turkey, and spinach.
• It’s easy to customize with your favorite ingredients and toppings!

Ingredients you’ll need

• Olive Oil – The oil in this recipe is used not only to brown the turkey but also to cook the fresh vegetables.
• Bell Pepper – Adds a natural hint of sweetness to the dish as well as garden fresh taste.
• Onion and Garlic – Adds bold garlic and onion flavor throughout the dinner as a classic flavor in most pasta dishes.
• Canned/Jarred Tomatoes – You’ll need a jar of marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to create a flavorful red sauce.
• Seasonings – To properly season the sauce, you’ll need garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Ground Turkey – This ground meat adds texture and heartiness!
• Fresh Parsley – Adds a fragrant and fresh flavor to the dish.
• Spinach – I like to use fresh, but you can use frozen spinach and thaw it first.
• Orecchiette Pasta – This small cup-shaped pasta makes it easy to carry all of the flavors from the sauce. You can use any short pasta you like.
• Cheese – Use a mix of shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese for a creamy, melty texture and cheesy taste.
• Lemon – Adds brightness to this dish and brings out all the flavors.

How To Make Cheesy Pasta Bake with Ground Turkey and Spinach

Cook the vegetables: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil then add the diced onion and peppers and a sprinkle of salt. Cook for 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

Brown the ground turkey: Add the ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder and thyme. Cook the ground turkey for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink, breaking it up as you cook. 

Create the sauce: Add the tomato paste, marinara sauce and diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Turn heat to low and let simmer while you stir in the chopped parsley, chopped spinach and lemon juice. Stir to combine. 

Add the pasta: Turn off the heat and stir in the dried pasta. Make sure all the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of grated parmesan. Stir until mixture is well combined and the noodles are all coated in the sauce. 

Bake and enjoy: Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and cover tightly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until cheese is melted and the pasta is cooked through. 

Recipe Tips

• Browning the turkey and cooking the vegetables beforehand is important as they will not fully cook when baked in the oven.
• Make sure you choose a sturdy pasta shape like an orecchiette that can hold up to baking and stirring without breaking apart.
• If your ground turkey has a higher fat content, you can drain the fat before adding it to the sauce to keep the meal from becoming too greasy.
• Add cheese to the pasta AND on top to create a cheesy, bubbly texture.

Variations

• Use different types of vegetables: You can also add a variety of vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini or carrots to the dish.
• Use other types of ground meat: For a heartier meal, you can substitute ground beef or Italian sausage for ground turkey.
• Add heat: If you’re looking to add some heat, try stirring in crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or topping the pasta bake with jalapeño slices when serving.
• Use different types of pasta: Other pasta that holds its shape well include penne, rigatoni, macaroni, and farfalle.
• Use other types of cheese: Try out different cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or gruyere for a cheesy flavor.

Storing and Freezing

Storing: Once cooled, this pasta bake can be portioned out and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Freezing: You can freeze this pasta bake in an airtight container or ziplock bag, and it will keep for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees until warm throughout.

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