Hearty Turkey and Veggie Family Casserole

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook al dente according to package instructions, about 9-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
5. Stir in the diced bell pepper and zucchini and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften. Add the drained diced tomatoes and chopped spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the turkey and veggie mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and mix well to combine everything evenly.
7. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly on top.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Chef tips

• Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to customize to dietary needs.
• If fresh spinach is unavailable, frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained) works well too.
• For extra creaminess, stir in ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt or cream cheese before baking.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for mild heat if your family enjoys a little spice.