Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Ziti pasta
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 48 oz high-quality marinara sauce
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 15 oz part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg white
  • 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.5 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti for 5 minutes. The pasta should be quite firm. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Brown the meat, breaking it into small crumbles, until fully cooked. Drain any excess liquid if necessary.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer on low for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta, egg white, 0.5 cup of Parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon zest until light and airy.
  7. In the large pot or baking dish, toss the par-cooked pasta with the meat sauce and the whipped ricotta mixture until well combined.
  8. Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish. Top with the shredded mozzarella and the remaining 0.25 cup of Parmesan.
  9. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the edges are slightly browned. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.