Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz box of whole wheat spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 large carrots, grated or finely chopped
  • 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup tomato paste, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1½ cups part-skim mozzarella, shredded
  • Cooking spray

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook spaghetti according to packing instructions, omitting any salt or oil. Reserve at least ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil. Heat oil until shimmering, then add onions and carrots; sauté until soft. Add ground turkey and stir until turkey is cooked thoroughly.
  4. Add ¾ cup of the tomato pasta and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir well. Season with salt and pepper. Consistency should be like a thick meat sauce. Add more pasta water as needed.
  5. In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti, eggs, Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and the remaining ¼ cup of the tomato paste.
  6. Coat a large baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half the meat mixture over the bottom of the pan.
  7. Add the spaghetti mixture and press it down to level it. Top with remaining meat mixture, then sprinkle the ½ cup mozzarella on top.
  8. Bake the pie for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Use a sharp knife or pizza slicer to cut into 8 servings.

Variations & Tips

  • Use ground chicken or lean ground beef instead of turkey.
  • Use any leftover pasta or any pasta shape in place of spaghetti.
  • Add sliced mushrooms, shredded zucchini, diced peppers, or any other leftover vegetables.
  • Omit the meat and add a can of chickpeas or white beans (drained and rinsed well) for a vegetarian option.

Nutrition Facts

YIELD: 8 servings

Calories: 519 per serving, Carbohydrates: 53g, Fiber: 6.7g, Sugar: 8g (0g added sugar), Protein: 35g, Fat: 20g, Saturated fat: 7.2g, Cholesterol: 153mg, Sodium: 552mg