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The Best Baked Ziti with Ground Turkey Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 134 reviews

This comforting Baked Ziti with Ground Turkey combines tender pasta, a rich and creamy tomato sauce, and layers of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Featuring roasted cherry tomatoes and aromatic herbs, this recipe delivers a flavorful, cheesy Italian-inspired dish perfect for a satisfying family meal in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Tomato Sauce

  • 300g baby tomatoes
  • 2 shallots, peeled and halved
  • 1 garlic bulb, head chopped off, cloves revealed
  • 1 large sprig thyme
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 300ml single cream
  • 300ml stock (vegetable or chicken)
  • 5g fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Main Ingredients

  • 400g ground turkey
  • 250g ziti pasta (or rigatoni, casarecce as substitutes)
  • 300g mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying turkey)
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and roast vegetables: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). In an oven-proof baking dish, combine the baby tomatoes, halved shallots, and the garlic bulb with its top cut off to expose the cloves. Add the thyme sprig, sprinkle with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and toss well. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables soften and caramelize.
  2. Cook turkey and pasta: While vegetables roast, heat a frying pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add ground turkey and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring often, until fully browned and cooked through. Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare tomato sauce: Transfer the roasted tomatoes, shallots, and thyme leaves into a blender. Squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of the bulb and add them as well. Add single cream, fresh basil leaves, stock, and grated parmesan. Blend everything until smooth, then adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine pasta, turkey, and sauce: Pour the blended tomato sauce back into the oven-proof dish. Add the cooked turkey and pasta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated in sauce.
  5. Add cheese and bake: Tear one-quarter of the mozzarella into small pieces and fold them gently into the pasta mixture to create pockets of melted cheese throughout. Top the dish with the remaining mozzarella and grated cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Place the dish under the grill and bake for 10-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
  6. Serve and garnish: Remove the baked ziti from the grill, let it rest for a few minutes, then plate. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm to enjoy a hearty, cheesy meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ziti pasta with rigatoni, casarecce, or other tubular pasta shapes.
  • For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken or vegetable stock.
  • Adjust cheese quantities or types according to preference; adding mozzarella inside creates a creamier texture.
  • The garlic bulb roasting method mellows out the garlic flavor for a sweeter, milder taste.
  • Ensure the turkey is cooked thoroughly to avoid any food safety issues.
  • Allow the baked dish to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns.

Keywords: baked ziti, ground turkey, cheesy pasta bake, Italian recipe, oven-baked pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/the-best-baked-ziti-with-ground-turkey-recipe/