Tuscan Baked Rigatoni

Is there anything better than pasta? It can be made many different ways and there are many different types. Not to mention it tastes delicious and it is a comforting meal.

The more I make and try baked pasta dishes, I realize that is my preferred method for making pasta.  I think it is because is creates the crispy edges and topping and allows the flavors to blend even more. 

This baked pasta feel indulgent due to the creaminess of it from the heavy cream and the cheesy taste, but also feels healthy because of the ground turkey, beans and spinach.

Tuscan Baked Rigatoni

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 16 ounces rigatoni pasta
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups baby spinach
• 15 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain well.
3. In a skillet, over medium-high heat, add in the olive oil and cook the ground turkey until crumbled can completely cooked. Remove the ground turkey from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. 
5. Add in the heavy cream, tomatoes and black pepper. Stir to combine and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the spinach and cannellini beans and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the ground turkey back in, stirring to combine.
8. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, combine it with the sauce mixture. Add in the mozzarella cheese and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.
9. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 619
Total Fat		23.8g
Saturated Fat		12.6g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.6g
Monounsaturated Fat		2.6g
Cholesterol		95.3mg
Sodium		692.3mg
Total Carbohydrates		64.6g
Dietary Fiber		7.1g
Sugars		7.1g
Protein		36g
Calcium		12.2%
Iron		16.3%
Potassium		453.8mg
Vitamin A		0.1%
Vitamin C		11.8%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Easy Weeknight Recipes.