penne pesto swirl casserole

Name: Penne Pesto Swirl Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup(s) penne pasta (mini or regular); 1/2 pound(s) ground turkey; 3/4 teaspoon(s) fennel seeds, slightly crushed; 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon(s) garlic powder (if using fresh, use more!); 1/8 teaspoon(s) black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon(s) kosher salt (or to taste); 1/2 cup(s) red bell pepper, fresh or jarred, chopped fine; 1/2 cup(s) onion, chopped fine; 28 ounce(s) diced tomatoes, with juice; 1 teaspoon(s) sugar; 1/2 cup(s) sliced portabella/ baby bella mushrooms; 3 ounce(s) prepared pesto; 1/2 cup(s) shredded mozzarella, parmesan or your favorite cheese; 4 ounce(s) spinach (or spinach/arugula mix) *

(1 RATING)

9 Pinches 2 Photos

Carolyn Haas

Whitewater, WI

Updated on May 6, 2018

Using approved items from a current contest, I came up with this Italian influenced casserole (hot dish). I intended to add the spinach to the meat and vegetable mixture, but forgot. *So when I served it I put a handful of spinach on the bottom of each person's plate and put the hot casserole on top. That was enough heat to wilt the spinach and worked just fine!! So suit yourself!

Rate

prep time 20 Min

cook time 35 Min

method Bake

yield 2-4 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 cup penne pasta (mini or regular)
1/2 pound ground turkey
3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, slightly crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if using fresh, use more!)
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/2 cup red bell pepper, fresh or jarred, chopped fine
1/2 cup onion, chopped fine
28 ounces diced tomatoes, with juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup sliced portabella/ baby bella mushrooms
3 ounces prepared pesto
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, parmesan or your favorite cheese
4 ounces spinach (or spinach/arugula mix) *

How To Make penne pesto swirl casserole

Step 1

Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain

Step 2

Blend seasoning into ground turkey evenly and lightly. Heat oil in pan. When hot, add seasoned turkey and cook until no pink remains. Add onion, red pepper, mushrooms and spinach. Continue to cook until onion is slightly translucent and spinach has started to wilt.
Step 3

Put tomatoes with juice and sugar in a blender, and pulse until it's a somewhat smoother consistancy. Stir about 3/4 of the tomato blend into the meat and veggies. Turn off heat.
Step 4

Place enough remaining tomatoes to cover bottom of 9x9 inch glass pan. Spread pasta in pan. Cover with meat/veggie mixture. Dot tablespoonfuls of tomatoes on top, then dot pesto in between the tomatoes. Using a knife, swirl the pesto and tomatoes together.
Step 5

Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top and put pan back in oven until cheese has melted.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

Just A Pinch Sweepstakes