The Corporate Cookbook

About This Recipe:

A plate of baked ziti for dinner is like a hug on the inside. This recipe is a bit more time and steps intensive than most of my other recipes, but it will keep you fed and happy throughout the work week. My version is a bit on the healthier side because I use ground turkey, part skim ricotta (you 100% cannot taste the difference here,) and just a thin layer of mozzarella on top. However, you can of course switch up this recipe with the ingredients that you prefer. Ziti leftovers are the best part and you can freeze individual servings to keep handy for the next busy week.

Enjoy!

Ingredients (6 servings)
-1 lb ziti pasta
-1 large onion, diced
-1 lb ground turkey
-43 oz crushed tomatoes (28 oz + 15 oz cans)
-8 oz part skim ricotta cheese
-1 egg
-4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
-1/4 cup grated parmesan
-Basil

Seasonings
-2 tsps dried basil
-2 tsps dried oregano
-1 tsp garlic powder
-Salt & pepper

Instructions (1 hour 30 minutes) 
1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, pour in 1-2 tbls of olive oil and add in the diced onion. Brown for 3-4 minutes, and then add in the ground turkey. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking the turkey into small bits.
2. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and all of the seasonings, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes on low heat covered.
3. While the sauce simmers, in a large pot cook the ziti until al dente. Then drain the pasta and combine with the meat sauce.
4. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta with the egg, and season with salt and pepper.
5. In a large baking dish layer in half of the pasta and sauce, then spoon over the ricotta mixture, and then the rest of the pasta and sauce. Cover the top with the sliced mozzarella, and sprinkle with the grated parmesan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes covered, and then broil for 5 minutes uncovered to brown the top. Garnish with the basil and serve.