Baked Ziti with Ground Turkey

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2

Prepare a baking dish by rubbing a little butter around the inside of the dish to prevent any sticking. Shred cheese.  Set aside.

Step 3

Boil water and cook pasta noodles according to packaging or just until al dente.  When done, drain pasta.  IMPORTANT: Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.  Set aside

Step 4

Place frying pan over medium-high heat, add olive olive.  When oil is hot, add ground turkey as the turkey starts to brown add chopped onion and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper and continue to brown the turkey until it's no longer pink.

Step 5

Open a jar of your favorite pasta or marinara sauce and add to browned turkey.  Taste sauce to make sure it is seasoned to your liking if not add salt and Italian seasoning as needed.  Add wine and cook until alcohol has burned off and taste test again.

Step 6

If sauce is too thick for your liking, add a little pasta water to loosen the sauce.  Add pasta to sauce and stir until combined (be sure to pay attention to the pasta/sauce ratio).  Pour into your prepared baking dish.  Layer the top with grated cheese.  Place foil over the baked ziti and bake in the oven until cheese is melted, gooey, and bubbly.

Step 7

If you like the top to be slightly browned, remove the foil and continue baking for a few extra minutes until the top is slightly browned. Sprinkle the top with parm and chopped parsley (optional).

Step 8

Serve immediately and ENJOY.