Ground Turkey Baked Rigatoni – Easy, Cheesy Weeknight Comfort
This ground turkey baked rigatoni is the ultimate comfort food dinner! Loaded with meat, mushrooms, and topped with melty cheese, it’s ready in under 45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 pound ground turkey (can substitute ground beef or Italian sausage)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4-ounce canned mushrooms (or substitute fresh sliced mushrooms)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce or homemade sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet or Italian basil, chopped
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Chopped parsley, optional for garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray, for greasing dish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to box directions until al dente, then drain. Coat in 1 tablespoon butter while still hot and set aside.
3. While pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan. Add ground turkey and cook on medium heat until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3 minutes.
5. Add mushrooms and cook an additional 3 minutes.
6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in spaghetti sauce and basil. Cover and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Spray a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Add half the pasta, then all of the meat and sauce mixture. Stir to combine. Add remaining pasta and stir again.
8. Top with shredded mozzarella, cover with foil, and bake on top rack for 15 minutes.
9. Remove foil and broil on low for 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
10. Carefully remove from oven. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
Make it your own by using ground beef or Italian sausage instead of turkey.
Add extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for more nutrition.
Use fresh basil for a more aromatic flavor.
Pairs perfectly with garlic bread or cheddar biscuits.