Description
This Easy Macaroni Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish combining lean ground turkey, colorful vegetables, marinara sauce, and whole wheat pasta, all baked to perfection with a melted mozzarella cheese topping. Ideal for a family dinner, this casserole is packed with flavors and wholesome ingredients, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 medium red pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup finely diced celery
- ¼ cup finely diced carrots
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or jarred)
- 2 cups water
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
Other
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 8 oz whole wheat elbow macaroni (uncooked)
Instructions
- Brown the Turkey: In a large deep non-stick skillet, cook the ground turkey over high heat until fully cooked through, seasoning with a pinch of salt. Break the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Once done, transfer the turkey to a separate dish and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add olive oil to the same skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, red pepper, celery, and carrots. Sauté these vegetables until softened, about 6 to 7 minutes.
- Simmer Sauce and Vegetables: Return the cooked turkey to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Add mushrooms, petite diced tomatoes (drained), marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Preheat Oven: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Assemble Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of the turkey and vegetable mixture to cover the bottom. Then evenly spread the uncooked whole wheat elbows pasta over this base. Pour the remaining sauce mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Finally, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, allowing the pasta to cook through and the flavors to develop.
- Rest and Serve: After baking, remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand covered for 15 minutes. This resting time helps it set before dividing into 6 servings and serving.
Notes
- The macaroni is baked uncooked in the sauce, so the sauce must have enough liquid for the pasta to cook through completely.
- You can substitute ground turkey with lean ground chicken or beef for variation.
- For added flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Using whole wheat pasta adds fiber and nutrients compared to regular pasta.
