INGREDIENTS

  • 8 ounces (½ box) whole wheat rotini
  • 1½ tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 2½ cups riced cauliflower (about 10-12 ounces)
  • 2 medium bell peppers, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 5 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 15 oz cans no salt added tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet, or other oven-save skillet, over high heat. Once hot, add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add ground turkey; cook, stirring to crumble, until lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in riced cauliflower, peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a good simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pasta.
  6. Sprinkle the skillet evenly with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and the ingredients are bubbling, about 5 to 7 minutes.

VARIATIONS & TIPS

  • Feel free to use any color peppers or onions for this recipe – whatever you have on hand!
  • Frozen riced cauliflower will also work, if you can’t find fresh. It typically comes frozen in 10-to-12-ounce bags. You can add it directly to the skillet from the freezer.
  • If available, try whole wheat elbows or macaroni noodles instead of rotini.
  • This is a great dish to prep ahead of time. Prepare everything through step 5, then let the dish cool and refrigerate it for up to 1 day. When ready to finish, reheat it gently and proceed with step 6.

NUTRITION FACTS

YIELD: 6 servings (about 1½ to 2 cups per serving)

Calories: 457 per serving, Carbohydrates: 41g, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 11g (1.5g added sugar), Protein: 33g, Fat: 20g, Saturated fat: 6.2g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 418mg

* Nutrition facts will change as variations and substitutions are included.

SOURCE: Adapted from EatingWell.com