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Dinner recipe · from the recipe book

Turkey Meatball Ziti Bake with Spinach Pesto

Tender herbed turkey meatballs and ziti bake in a bright basil-spinach pesto with lemon, crisped on top with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Turkey Meatball Ziti Bake with Spinach Pesto

Ingredients

  • 12⅔ cups3,000 gWater
  • 10½ oz300 gPasta, dryziti or penne
  • 1 lb450 gGround turkey, 93% lean
  • 1 large50 gEggsbeaten
  • ¼ cup30 gPlain dry breadcrumbs
  • 4 cloves12 gGarlicminced, divided
  • 2 tsp2 gDried oregano
  • 5 cups loosely packed150 gBaby spinach
  • 1⅔ cups leaves40 gFresh basilleaves
  • ⅓ cup chopped20 gFresh parsleyleaves
  • ¼ cup chopped30 gWalnuts
  • 3 tbsp40 gOlive oildivided
  • 2 tbsp30 gLemon juice
  • ⅓ cup grated40 gGrated Parmesandivided
  • ⅔ cup150 gPart-skim ricotta
  • 3½ oz100 gPart-skim mozzarellashredded
  • ¾ tsp4 gSaltdivided
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a sheet pan with foil brushed with one quarter of the olive oil.
  2. Mix the turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, one third of the garlic, the oregano, half the salt and the black pepper; roll into 20 small meatballs and set them on the sheet pan.
  3. Bake the meatballs 15 minutes until browned and 165°F (74°C) inside. Lower the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  4. Meanwhile, bring the water to a boil with the remaining half of the salt and cook the pasta 2 minutes short of package time; reserve a ladle of the cooking water, then drain.
  5. For the herb sauce, blend the spinach, basil, parsley, walnuts, the remaining two thirds of the garlic, the remaining three quarters of the olive oil, the lemon juice and half the Parmesan until smooth, loosening with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  6. In a large bowl, stir the herb sauce and the ricotta together, then fold in the drained pasta and the meatballs, adding more reserved pasta water if dry.
  7. Spread into a 9x13-inch baking dish and scatter the mozzarella and the remaining half of the Parmesan on top.
  8. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until bubbling and golden in spots. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Tree nuts, Gluten. Some brands contain soy.

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

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