I think I have gone a little overboard with the chicken and turkey recipes lately but I’m so into Fall comfort food and they both make good substitutes for beef when you want to make a dish healthier.
This takes a little longer than 30 minutes to make but it’s super easy and the recipe can be doubled for leftovers the next night. With a fairly large amount of basil in the recipe, it really brings the flavours to life and I find that this soon becomes a family favourite.
You can use any type of pasta you like but I have found that rice penne is one of the better ones. It absorbs the sauce with it’s yumminess and makes for a substantial meal.
You could use leftover turkey or chicken in this recipe as well and I’ve often thought zucchini would be a nice addition.
Because this recipe takes a little more time, you might want to think about making it on a Sunday if your schedule allows. This is both kid-friendly and healthy so I hope you’ll give it a try and let me know what you think.
Have a great day, everyone. Cheers!
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Healthy Baked Penne with Turkey, Tomatoes and Basil
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8 (1.5 cup servings)
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb rice penne pasta
- 1 lb extra lean ground turkey or extra lean turkey sausage
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans petite-diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup basil, chopped
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach, chopped
- 1 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Cook pasta, drain and set aside. If using rice pasta, be sure to rinse cooked pasta in cold water.
- Cook sausage, onion, red pepper and garlic in large skillet over medium high heat until browned and onions translucent. Using slotted spoon, transfer mixture to large pot, leaving behind any fat from sausage/ground turkey.
- To pot add tomato paste, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to pot with basil and spinach, mixing together. Put half of the mixture in a casserole dish and cover with half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Place the remaining half of the pasta mixture on top and cover again with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Cook times may vary according to your oven. My dish seems to get very bubbly within 20 minutes.
Calories: 419 Saturated fat: 5 Carbohydrates: 38 Sodium: 852 Protein: 24
61 Comments
Kaz @ Melting Moments
November 2, 2013 at 5:02 pmYum! I love the healthy spin on this recipe. Looks very tasty!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:53 amThanks, Kaz and thank you for visiting!
BecHeflin
November 2, 2013 at 5:04 pmThis looks SO healthy and delicious! I found you over on the Show Stopper Saturday party at Cooking with Smiles!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:54 amThanks, Bec. Love that link party!
SizzleandZoom
November 2, 2013 at 7:46 pmI am glad you are into chicken and turkey. That’s all I fix at home anymore. I will be fixing this. Delicious.
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:55 amMe too, Susan. Red meat just doesn’t appeal to me any longer and it feels like I have rocks in my stomach if I eat it, lol. Thanks for your continued support – much appreciated.
Wanda
November 3, 2013 at 6:44 amPasta is one of my favorite dishes. This one looks yummy and the addition of the spinach sounds great.
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:56 amI love pasta too, Wanda, and I’ve found that the rice pasta tastes just as good if not better than the white. What a relief because I wasn’t willing to give up that taste!
mail4rosey
November 3, 2013 at 5:14 pmThis looks great for a weekend brunch for the family! Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:57 amWas my pleasure, Rosey. Great party. Thanks for visiting.
Mindy Whipple
November 3, 2013 at 7:36 pmThis looks like a perfect Sunday afternoon pasta recipe. I love having leftovers too!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:58 amHi there, Mindy,
Leftovers are the best, aren’t they? No fuss, no muss. Nice to see you!
Clydia Mangold
November 4, 2013 at 8:57 amLooks delish! Pinned it. 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up to ITS PARTY TIME! xoxo
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:58 amThanks, Clydia and thanks for the pin!
Stephanie
November 4, 2013 at 11:16 amYum, yum, yum! This looks like quite the tasty treat 🙂 Have a blessed week, dear Robyn. Hugs to you!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:58 amThanks, Stephanie. You too!
kitty
November 4, 2013 at 4:45 pmHi Robyn, this dish looks like perfect comfort food, yet it’s healthy and so colorful. Thank you for sharing. xo
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:59 amThanks, Kitty, and thanks for visiting. I
Paula Jones
November 4, 2013 at 6:17 pmTHis looks so so good! Thanks for joining us at Marvelous Mondays, pinned to my MM board and sharing on FB and Twitter!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 6:59 amThanks, Paula. I’m still licking my lips over your latest burger. Fantastic!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
November 4, 2013 at 7:40 pmThis is 100% our kind of dinner. I am pinning this and we will be enjoying. Thanks in advance!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 7:00 amThanks so much, Pamela, and thanks for stopping by.
Erin
November 4, 2013 at 9:36 pmYUM!! This looks so good! Thanks for sharing with Life Created link party, I was in need of some dinner inspiration!
Robyn
November 5, 2013 at 7:01 amI’m glad I could help, Erin, lol. I’m addicted to pasta and could probably eat it every day.
Cropped Stories
November 5, 2013 at 8:49 amOM Goodness, this looks fabulous! Your images are making me hungry ;o) Thanks so much for linking up to The PINcentive Blog Hop! Hope you have a great Tuesday!
[email protected]
http://www.croppedstories.blogspot.com
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:13 amLove your blog hop, Elena. Thanks for visiting!
carolinaheartstrings
November 5, 2013 at 10:22 amThat looks spectacular. I cannot wait to make this recipe.
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:13 amThanks so much. I`m off to explore your blog – the title makes me so curious
Kayla @ Home Coming
November 5, 2013 at 4:58 pmA healthy pasta recipe is just what I need! I’m hosting a giveaway for 2 pillow covers that you should enter! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/11/pillow-covers-giveaway.html
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:14 amThanks for visiting, Kayla. I`ll check it out.
Amy Lee Scott
November 6, 2013 at 9:18 amI am right with you on making tons of comfort food in the fall! And this pasta dish looks so hearty and delicious–keep the comfort food coming 🙂
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:15 amThanks, Amy, I will keep trying, lol!
Joy
November 6, 2013 at 9:18 amMmmm, this really does look delicious, Robyn! I saw this at Family Home and Life’s Wow Us Wednesday and had to come over for the recipe! This has all my favorites, so I know I will love it- thanks!
Love, Joy
Yesterfood.blogspot.com
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:15 amThanks, Joy. I`m off to explore your blog. Thank you for visiting.
Becca
November 6, 2013 at 11:03 amThat looks good! Parmesan cheese really helps make a recipe complete, doesn’t it?
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:16 amI agree, Becca. Thanks so much for visiting.
O meu pensamento viaja
November 6, 2013 at 2:10 pmOnce more, a delicious suggestion, dear Robyn!
I love Parmesan cheese. It’s my favourite!
Have a nice evening, my dear!
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:17 amYou are always so generous with your comments, Nina! Thank you.
Have a great weekend, my friend.
Linda @ With A Blast
November 7, 2013 at 6:54 amThis looks so good ! Pinned – thanks for sharing 🙂
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:18 amHi Linda,
Thanks so much for pinning and your kind comment. I’m off to visit your blog.
Have a great weekend.
Linda Primmer
November 7, 2013 at 10:08 amRobyn, this dish is calling my name. I am so ready for some good hearty food. Turkey is such a healthy choice and it taste good too. Love you, Linda
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 8:19 amHiya Wonder Woman,
You’re going to be cooking up a storm in no time, I’m sure. I bet you can hardly wait till it’s all done. You have to promise me that you will do a guest blog for me in your brand new kitchen!
Love you too, my friend. xoxo Talk to you later today.
Dianna
November 7, 2013 at 10:04 pmThat looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Jen Nikolaus
November 7, 2013 at 11:15 pmThis recipe is definitely one my family would love. It sounds delicious! Perfect fall dinner. Might have to make it this weekend. Thanks for sharing at Saturday Night Fever! Pinning now!
gosia
November 8, 2013 at 2:21 pmLooks delicious!
Thanks for sharing at Foodies & Crafties Soirée!
Gosia | Kiddie Foodies
Miz Helen
November 8, 2013 at 7:53 pmHi Robyn,
What a great dish to have for all the left over Turkey that we will all have. Hope you are having a great day and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Mary
November 8, 2013 at 11:39 pmI love your recipes! I featured you again this week. Have a blessed weekend! Mary
Robyn
November 9, 2013 at 6:04 amWow, Mary, you truly flatter me! Now I have no idea what to come up with next to make your top 10! lol. I love your blog – it’s such a friendly place with so many beautiful images and creative ideas. Have a great weekend.
Danielle
November 9, 2013 at 7:16 pmAh, this made my mouth water! Looks delish. I have a very soft spot for pasta bakes. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
Karly Campbell
November 10, 2013 at 7:26 amGreat idea for the leftover turkey! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
BettyCupcakes
November 10, 2013 at 2:48 pmMy son is obsessed with red sauce- must be the Italian in him. Thanks for sharing with us at the Foodies and Crafties soiree!
Diane Balch
November 10, 2013 at 5:07 pmI love how low fat and healthy,..plus delicious looking this dish is… thanks for sharing it on foodie friday.
Robyn
November 14, 2013 at 9:22 pmThanks so much for featuring it on your beautiful blog, Diane! Love linking up with your parties.
The Pin Junkie
November 12, 2013 at 10:35 amI love pasta dishes and yours looks delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe at The Pin Junkie. It was featured in the fall recipe roundup. http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/11/fall-recipes-roundup.html. Be sure to stop by to grab an “I was featured” button and stop by Thursday evening to share your best fall crafts!
Diane (@SimpleLivingEat)
November 15, 2013 at 8:12 amJust wanted you to know that your recipe is being featured today on Foodie Friday. I will be pinning and tweeting it this week too.
Robyn
November 15, 2013 at 12:37 pmI had a very big surprise when I visited your page last night, Diane. Thank you so much for the feature. It’s such a pleasure to be on your beautiful, healthy eating blog!
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