• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Life is but a Dish

Easy, approachable recipes for the everyday home cook

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes, Cupcakes & Cookies
    • Chicken
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks & Cocktails
    • Dressings & Sauces
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Gluten Free
    • Grilling
    • Healthy
    • Instant Pot & Slow Cooker
    • Lunch
    • Meat
    • Muffins & Quick Breads
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Quick & Easy
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Stews
    • Turkey
    • Vegetarian
    • Veggies
    • Weekly Inspiration
  • Cook w/ Confidence
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Orecchiette Pasta Bake

November 13, 2014 by Life is but a Dish 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Orecchiette is the cutest pasta ever.

DSC_0870They look like tiny little hats, and I love how they sometimes stack on top of each other and catch all the sauce in between.  That’s also why I love them in this pasta bake.  It’s oh so comforting and packed with flavor!  I’ll admit it, and please don’t hate me, but this meal does require a fair amount of dishes at the end.  There are several components (which are all easy!) to making this pasta dish the perfect warm and cozy dinner.  The good news is, it makes enough for lots and lots of leftovers.

DSC_0873

Unless of course you live in my house where Zach and I can polish off a box of pasta like there’s no tomorrow.  It’s not something I’m proud of, trust me.

That’s not true.  Anything I can do really well makes me proud.  Even if that means eating an entire box of pasta on my own.  I can’t help it. I’m competitive by nature, and I come from a long line of crazy competitive family members.  Game night is serious business.

DSC_0878I love game night.  Have you guys ever played Times Up?  You need to.  Hardest I’ve ever laughed. And of course Cards Against Humanity.  Just depends on your mood.  Do you feel like getting up and doing some charades?  Or being super and ridiculously inappropriate to the point of peeing your pants?  Either game guarantees an awesome night, and pair it with this pasta and your friends might never leave.

DSC_0882Game on.

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon

Orecchiette Pasta Bake

★★★ 3 from 1 reviews
  • Yield: 8 1x
Print
Pin

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (plus 1 tablespoon for browning the turkey)
  • 2 bell peppers (diced (I used orange and yellow))
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (I like San Marzano)
  • 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (plus 1/2 teaspoon for ground turkey)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 3 tablespoons basil (chopped)
  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded jack cheese
  • 3 cups spinach

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish and set aside. Prepare a large pot of water for the pasta and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large pan heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and add peppers and onion. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften. Add garlic and cook another minute.
  2. To the onion and peppers mixture, add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and another sprinkle of salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a boil, then simmer on low for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the ground turkey.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan and add ground turkey. Brown the meat with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once turkey is no longer pink, add it to the sauce with the chopped basil and let it simmer for another 10-12 minutes.
  4. Add a large pinch of salt to the boiling pasta water and add the pasta. Cook according to package. This happens while the sauce is simmering.
  5. Once pasta is cooked, drain it and return cooked pasta to the empty pasta pot . Add both cheeses to the hot pasta and stir to coat. Add the turkey sauce mixture to the pasta and stir. Add spinach and stir until spinach wilts.
  6. Pour into prepared baking dish, sprinkle with extra cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until cheese starts to bubble.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @lifeisbutadish on Instagram and hashtag it #lifeisbutadish

DSC_0885

Filed Under: Dinner, Pasta Tagged With: Casserole, dinner, Ground turkey, Life is but a Dish, Orecchiette, Pasta, Pasta Bake

Previous Post: « Maple Glazed Brussel Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Almonds
Next Post: Whole Wheat Zucchini Banana Chia Seed Muffins w/ Maple Cinnamon Glaze »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kate T

    August 18, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    I made this today and it was so good!! I love it has a ton of greens but you hardly even notice. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Life is but a Dish

      August 18, 2016 at 8:26 pm

      Hi Kate! I’m so glad you liked it! It’s one of my favorite recipes!

  2. Marsha Gainey

    October 1, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    This recipe makes A LOT, which is great for leftovers. I had to make a few tweaks, based on what I had on hand: all mozzarella, 1 TB of dried basil for the fresh, just one bell pepper. It’s very hearty. With a piece of hot, buttered bread, it made many great meals.

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Life is but a Dish

      October 1, 2017 at 5:10 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed!

Trackbacks

  1. 25 New Holiday Make Ahead Casseroles says:
    November 7, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    […] Orecchiette Pasta Bake by Life is But a Dish […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

About me

Welcome to Life is but a Dish! I create easy, approachable recipes for the everyday home cook. Behind every recipe, photo and blog post is me – just an everyday mom, home cook and girl who’s obsessed with food. Let me tell you a little bit about what makes me, me!

READ MORE…

This dinner guide will save you countless hours of headaches and stress.

28 Day Dinner Guide Buy Button

lifeisbutadish

Laney Schwartz
You deserve to feel like this while you cook!⁣
⁣
We all know the saying...⁣
⁣
“Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime”⁣
⁣
Let me be very clear when I say that learning how to cook is no different.⁣
⁣
I can give you recipes all day long. In fact I have for over 6 years. There are over 600 delicious recipes on my blog right now, for free!⁣
⁣
BUT...⁣
⁣
If you don’t really, truly know how to cook, a recipe is just that. A recipe. ⁣
⁣
You can keep living recipe to recipe, OR you can really learn how to cook and dance your way through life in the kitchen. ⁣
⁣
This round of Cook with Confidence is 80% full with only a handful of spots left. 🤯 Tomorrow is your last chance to enroll and secure your spot. ⁣
⁣
It’s up to you. ⁣
⁣
I’ll be here to lead the way when you’re ready. ♥️
Homemade Mac n’ Cheese is next level cozy. 🧀 Homemade Mac n’ Cheese is next level cozy. 🧀 ⁣
⁣
Are you team breadcrumb crust or no thanks?⁣
⁣
https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/classic-three-cheese-macaroni-and-cheese/
I’m declaring this the recipe of the month and y I’m declaring this the recipe of the month and you should too. ⁣
⁣
If you haven’t tried this Instant Pot Pasta yet, what are you freaking waiting for? ⁣
⁣
Your life will be changed FOR-E-VER. #namethatmovie ⁣
⁣
https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/easy-instant-pot-pasta/
Chicken Parmesan is on the blog. ⁣ ⁣ That’s Chicken Parmesan is on the blog. ⁣
⁣
That’s all. Carry on. ⁣
⁣
https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/chicken-parmesan/⁣
You know all of those recipes you Google that seem You know all of those recipes you Google that seem so straightforward, but never end up quite right when you put them into action?⁣
⁣⁣
The problem? ⁣You don’t understand the basics.⁣
⁣⁣
You know why I can easily pull meals together on the fly? Because I understand the simplest techniques like how to salt, sear and roast. Understanding how these techniques work and learning what you can do to change/improve the flavor of your food will literally transform your kitchen life. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Trust me, if you don't know the basics, you’re not alone and you’re NOT a failure. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Learning the foundational basics is really freeing because then you won’t ever feel tied to a recipe!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Look, I don’t know how to debone a fish BUT what I do know is how to create delicious tasting meals for my family every. single. day. over and over again because all you need are the basics. From there, if you ever WANT to learn how to debone a fish, you’ll have the confidence to do so. ⁣
⁣⁣
The information available to you on the internet is endless, but Cook with Confidence has all of the pieces you need in one place, with a built-in mentor AND a community of people just like you who are ready to get to know their way around the kitchen! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
You get 8-weeks of detailed curriculum, weekly cooking demos with me, and support via Slack so that you can ask any and all questions as we progress through the program! You won’t feel alone in this and I truly believe there are no stupid questions. Stupid recipes? Yes. But stupid questions, no. 😉 ⁣
⁣⁣
Picture it with me…⁣⁣
⁣⁣
How would it feel to actually get excited about making meals and know they’re going to taste AMAZING?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What if you showed up to dinner parties or potlucks with something you’re proud to contribute? ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What could it mean for your family’s health to eat from home more (and enjoy it even more than take-out)?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
This is what Cook with Confidence is ALL about! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
By the end of our 8 weeks together, your kitchen game is gonna be STRONG and your family will beg for second helpings.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
The application for CWC closes TONIGHT, and I won’t be opening them again for several months. ⁣⁣Are you in?
⁣⁣.
https://bit.ly
Making this on stories right now! Come join me! 🥕 ⁣
⁣
https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/easy-fresh-carrot-soup/
LAST DAY ⏳ to join the Cook with Confidence Wait LAST DAY ⏳ to join the Cook with Confidence Waitlist!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Tell me this sounds familiar...⬇️⁣
⁣
You’re sick of food delivered in a box and a list of recipes for you to do on your own - which hasn’t always gone so well. 👎⁣⁣
⁣⁣
If only you could feed your family meals they’d love and feel good about what you put on their plates each night. 🙏⁣⁣
⁣⁣
You know that you have a lot to learn, but have never really known where to turn for help. 😩⁣⁣
⁣⁣
This is exactly why I created Cook with Confidence. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It’s all about LEARNING the basics so that you can grow as you go through it and walk away with a confident, “I can do this” attitude. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
You’re going to learn from the ground up, starting with the building blocks for a solid cooking foundation all the way to ultimate kitchen freedom. 🥳⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We’ll do this through proven systems & structure to accomplish goals, overcome fears in the kitchen, all in a way that’s clear, simple, and easily digestible. (Pun intended 😉)⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Plus, you get access to me through LIVE interactions + unlimited daily support. 🤗⁣⁣
⁣⁣
From day one, my mission has always been to give people the confidence they need to cook and get back in the kitchen. I care SO DEEPLY for the success of my students and helping you reach your goals. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I know how far confidence can take you and I know I am a trusted, safe source to help you get there.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
You with me?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Let’s do this together. 💚⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Applications open tomorrow and I CANNOT wait!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
https://lifeisbutadish.kartra.com/page/cookwithconfidencewaitlist⁣⁣
Will Cook with Confidence REALLY work for you? ⁣ Will Cook with Confidence REALLY work for you? ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Continuing down the path of “I’ll figure it out eventually” or worse: “I’ll never be good at cooking” doesn’t have to be your reality. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Cook with Confidence is an interactive teaching process with a proven approach for improving your skills. It will take practice, but in the right setting with the right steps, you CAN do this AND you don’t have to do it alone. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Now is your time to ask all the questions you may have about CWC so you can confidently hit “join” when enrollment opens. Here are some basic questions I’ve received so far:⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What does the CWC program entail?⁣⁣
👉 8 weeks of detailed curriculum, each one with a different focus on the basics you’ve always wanted to learn⁣⁣
👉 Lifetime access to private membership area (including any updates)⁣⁣
👉 Weekly cooking demos so you can see it done and follow along! ⁣⁣
👉 Daily support via Slack to ask questions and stay accountable⁣⁣
👉 Weekly training videos + PDF’s + Cheat Sheets ⁣⁣
👉 Access to supportive student community so you can learn from each other, trade ideas, and see how food can bring people together⁣⁣
⁣⁣
What if I can’t make the live calls?⁣⁣
👉 Totally fine if you can't make the live calls! All calls will be recorded and uploaded in the membership portal.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
How long will I have access to the program material?⁣⁣
👉 I am 100% results-driven - you get lifetime access to the material in Cook with Confidence!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Cook with Confidence goes so far beyond learning your way around the kitchen. Swipe to hear about Lauren’s experience!
⁣⁣
Bottom line: You don’t need complicated recipes and meal delivery services to crush it in the kitchen.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Ready to take control and be the boss of your kitchen?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Get on the waitlist which closes tomorrow, January 13th! 🙀 If you’re on it, you can get your application in as soon as we open them.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
The next round of CWC starts February 1st (with 3 spots already sold!) and applications open in just two days! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
The waitlist is waiting for you. 💚⁣⁣
⁣⁣
https://lifeisbutadish.kartra.com/page/cookwithconfidencewaitlist
The amount of love and support I have felt over th The amount of love and support I have felt over the last couple of days is overwhelming and I say this to everyone who aligns with my beliefs AND to those who don’t fully align but have been willing to have kind and productive conversations.⁣
⁣
More than anything I am grateful for this community and the fact that you continue to make, love and share my stupid recipes because as it turns out, my stupid recipes actually change lives. 
⁣
Please continue to tag me in your #stupidrecipe creations so I can share them with the world. ⁣
⁣
And never stop dancing. ♥️
Cooking should be...⁣ ⁣ 💫 fun⁣ 💫 simpl Cooking should be...⁣
⁣
💫 fun⁣
💫 simple ⁣
💫 low stress⁣
⁣
Cooking should...⁣
⁣
😃 make you feel proud⁣
😃 taste delicious ⁣
😃 help you connect with loved ones ⁣
⁣
Cooking should not...⁣
⁣
❌ create anxiety ⁣
❌ bring overwhelm⁣
❌ make you feel like crap⁣
⁣
Most people who join Cook with Confidence feel nervous, anxious and overwhelmed when it comes to the kitchen. This is totally normal! ⁣
⁣
Feeding ourselves is a skill we must do to survive. Literally. It’s something we are faced with every single day. ⁣
⁣
It’s up to you to decide how you’ll handle it. You can pray all day to be a better cook, OR you can do something about it.⁣
⁣
Swipe through to see how some of my CWC students feel after committing to themselves to make change. ➡️⁣
⁣
Click the link in my bio and join the waitlist today. Applications open January 11th and space it limited! ⁣
⁣
https://lifeisbutadish.kartra.com/page/cookwithconfidencewaitlist
SAVE THIS RECIPE & SHARE W/ SOMEONE YOU LOVE ❤️ ⁣
⁣
I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again. ⁣
⁣
This recipe right here is THE recipe that turns meatloaf haters into meatloaf lovers. ⁣
⁣
If you know, you know.⁣
⁣
https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/turkey-meatloaf/
Helloooo Mushroom Soup! 🍄 ⁣ ⁣ You’ve been Helloooo Mushroom Soup! 🍄 ⁣
⁣
You’ve been waiting patiently for this one so I hope this starts your 2021 off on the right foot. 🤍⁣
⁣
https://www.lifeisbutadish.com/creamy-mushroom-soup/
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework · Privacy Policy