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Italian Baked Penne Casserole

This comforting and hearty Italian Baked Penne Casserole combines ground turkey, aromatic herbs, and melty mozzarella, all wrapped up in delicious penne pasta.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Comfort Food, Easy
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish

Ingredients

Canned Tomato Sauce

  • 54 ounces canned tomato sauce (2 cans)

Aromatics

  • 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions, diced
  • 16 ounces sliced mushrooms

Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper

Main Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Italian seasoned ground turkey (or ground turkey + 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning)
  • 2 pounds penne pasta
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Garnish

  • Italian parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Step 2: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add in the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Step 3: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook until they start to soften.
  • Step 4: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Step 5: Pour in the canned tomato sauce and stir well. Let simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
  • Step 6: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the meat sauce. Transfer half to a greased baking dish, sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese, add the remaining pasta mixture, and top with the rest of the cheese.
  • Step 7: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Step 8: Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes. You can also use whole wheat or gluten-free penne for a healthier option.