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Turkey Lasagna

This easy turkey lasagna recipe delivers layers of cheesy, saucy perfection without the heaviness of beef.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 2 pounds ground turkey
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces can crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Cheese Layer
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Assembly
  • 12 pieces lasagna noodles
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (additional)
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic.
  2. Mix the ricotta filling by combining ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, and salt until smooth.
  3. Prepare the noodles by boiling them al dente, then lay them flat.
Making the Turkey Meat Sauce
  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil if necessary.
  2. Brown the ground turkey for 7-8 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
  3. Add diced onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
  6. Mix in dried herbs and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
Cooking the Noodles
  1. Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain the noodles without rinsing and lay flat with a drizzle of olive oil.
Assembling Your Lasagna
  1. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread about one cup of meat sauce.
  2. Layer four noodles, followed by half the ricotta filling, then a third of the remaining meat sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella.
  3. Repeat the layering process, finishing with meat sauce and the remaining cheeses.
Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and cover the lasagna with aluminum foil.
  2. Bake covered for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 20 minutes until bubbly.
Resting and Serving
  1. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
  2. Slice and serve with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Leftovers taste even better. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in the oven for best results.