Turkey Baked Ziti with Creamy Cottage Cheese and Hidden Veggie Sauce Recipe
This Turkey Baked Ziti with Creamy Cottage Cheese Sauce is a wholesome, comforting casserole perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring a hidden veggie cottage cheese sauce blended until smooth, it combines tender pasta, savory ground turkey, and melty mozzarella cheese for a delicious, make-ahead freezer meal that bakes to hot, bubbly perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces ziti or penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 28 oz jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (packed)
- 1 small zucchini (roughly chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Protein
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey (cooked and seasoned)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than the package suggests. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking while preparing the rest.
- Prepare ground turkey: In a skillet on the stovetop, cook the ground turkey thoroughly. Season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside once cooked.
- Make the sauce: In a blender, combine marinara sauce, cottage cheese, fresh spinach, and chopped zucchini. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Mix pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the blended sauce, shredded mozzarella, and cooked ground turkey. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated and combined.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly, then top with extra shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Freeze or bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Blend the sauce until smooth to perfectly hide the veggies and create a creamy texture that doesn’t feel like health food.
- Double the recipe and freeze one batch for an easy future meal, saving you time and effort on busy days.
