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Dinner recipe · from the recipe book

Smoky Turkey, Zucchini and Tomato Pasta Bake

Tender whole-wheat penne baked in a smoky, oregano-scented tomato sauce with seared turkey breast, zucchini and a creamy ricotta layer through the middle.

Smoky Turkey, Zucchini and Tomato Pasta Bake

Ingredients

  • 10½ oz300 gWhole-wheat pasta, drypenne or rigatoni
  • 12⅔ cups3,000 gWater
  • 1 lb450 gTurkey breast, boneless skinlesscut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1½ tbsp20 gOlive oil
  • 1 medium110 gYellow oniondiced
  • 4 cloves12 gGarlicminced
  • 2 cups chopped250 gZucchinidiced
  • 1¾ lb800 gDiced tomatoes, canned
  • 2 tbsp30 gTomato paste
  • 1¾ tsp4 gPaprika (sweet or smoked)smoked
  • 2 tsp2 gDried oregano
  • ½ tsp1 gCrushed red pepper
  • ¾ cup200 gPart-skim ricotta
  • ⅔ cup leaves15 gFresh basiltorn
  • ¾ tsp4 gSalt
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot with half of the salt. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package says, then drain.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the turkey breast with the remaining half of the salt and the black pepper, add it to the skillet and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the onion and zucchini to the turkey and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste, then the diced tomatoes with their juice. Simmer 8 minutes until slightly thickened and the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Stir the drained pasta into the sauce. Scoop out half of the pasta mixture into a bowl, spread the ricotta in dollops over the pasta left in the skillet, then cover with the remaining half of the pasta mixture.
  7. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 minutes more until bubbling at the edges.
  8. Rest 5 minutes, scatter the basil over the top and serve.

Contains: Milk, Gluten.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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