Cozy Turkey Lasagna Recipe: A Family Favorite Reimagined

Layered comfort arrives with this creamy turkey lasagna that promises a delightful twist on classic Italian cooking.

Savory ground turkey brings unexpected depth to traditional pasta preparations.

Cheese melts into rich, velvety rivers between delicate pasta sheets.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become more exciting with this hearty dish.

Mediterranean herbs infuse each bite with vibrant flavor profiles.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients create such memorable meals.

You’ll want seconds of this crowd-pleasing recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Turkey Lasagna That’s Hearty And Flavorful

• Elevate Weeknight Dinners: A hearty and nutritious turkey lasagna that transforms ordinary meals into something special, perfect for busy families seeking delicious comfort food.
• Simplified Cooking Process: Straightforward layering technique makes this recipe approachable for home cooks of all skill levels, with no complicated techniques or exotic ingredients required.
• Budget-Friendly Protein Swap: Ground turkey offers a leaner, more affordable alternative to traditional beef lasagna, delivering rich flavor without compromising nutritional value.
• Veggie-Packed Nutrition Boost: Incorporating onions, carrots, and spinach sneaks extra vegetables into a crowd-pleasing dish, making it an excellent option for picky eaters and health-conscious families.

Key Items In Turkey Lasagna

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that forms the main body of the sauce, perfect for a healthier lasagna option.
• Onion: Provides a sweet and savory foundation for the meat sauce.
• Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and extra nutrition to the base.
• Garlic Cloves: Brings depth and aromatic flavor to the meat mixture.

• Chopped Tomatoes: Creates a rich, tangy base for the meat sauce.
• Chicken Stock: Enhances moisture and adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
• Bay Leaves: Infuses subtle herbal notes and complexity to the sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy layer that adds richness and smooth texture.
• Frozen Spinach: Nutritious green element that blends seamlessly into the cheese mixture.
• Butter: Helps create a smooth white sauce base.
• Plain Flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the white sauce.
• Milk: Provides liquid base for creating creamy white sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle tang and depth to the white sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Provide melty, sharp flavor for topping.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish with herbal notes.
• Oil: Used for cooking and preventing sticking.
• Lasagna Sheets: Structural base that holds all layers together.

Turkey Lasagna Step-by-Step

Step 1: Ignite the Oven and Prep the Dish

Set your oven to 375°F.

Grab a rectangular baking dish and lightly coat it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

• Onion
• Carrot
• Garlic
• Olive oil

Dice the onion and carrot into small pieces.

Mince the garlic.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the vegetables until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Brown the Turkey

Add ground turkey to the skillet with the vegetables.

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon, cooking until it turns golden brown and no pink remains.

Step 4: Build the Robust Sauce

• Chopped tomatoes
• Chicken stock
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Bay leaves

Pour in the tomatoes and stock, then sprinkle salt, pepper, and toss in bay leaves.

Let the sauce simmer and reduce, developing deep, rich flavors.

Step 5: Craft the Creamy White Sauce

In a separate pan, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a roux.

Slowly pour in milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.

Add Dijon mustard for a tangy kick, then season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Prepare the Ricotta Layer

Mix ricotta cheese with thawed spinach, creating a vibrant and creamy filling.

Step 7: Layer the Lasagna

• Meat sauce
• Lasagna sheets
• Ricotta and spinach mixture
• White sauce

Repeat the layers until your dish is full.

Step 8: Add the Cheese Topping

• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place the lasagna in the preheated oven.

Bake until the top turns golden and the edges bubble with delicious promise, typically 35-45 minutes.

Turkey Lasagna – Time-Saving Tips

• Use ground turkey instead of beef to create a lighter, healthier lasagna that's lower in fat but still packed with delicious flavor.
• Incorporate finely chopped carrots and onions to add extra nutrients, moisture, and subtle sweetness to the meat sauce without changing the texture.
• Mix ricotta with thawed spinach for a hidden vegetable boost that adds creamy texture and boosts the nutritional value of the dish.
• Simmer the meat sauce until it thickens naturally, allowing flavors to concentrate and preventing a watery lasagna.
• Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help the cheese set and make cutting and serving much easier.

Turkey Lasagna Keeps Perfectly With These Tips

• Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe containers. Frozen lasagna stays good for up to 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover lasagna with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.
• Cut a portion into smaller pieces, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

What Goes Well with Turkey Lasagna

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich turkey meat and tomato sauce, cutting through the lasagna's creamy layers with balanced acidity.
• Serve Fresh Green Salad: Toss crisp mixed greens with a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the lasagna's heavy textures, balancing the meal's richness with bright, zesty flavors.
• Match Crusty Garlic Bread: Select a rustic, warm baguette with garlic butter to soak up the delicious meat sauce and white sauce, adding extra texture and complementing the lasagna's complex flavor profile.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: Select a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the dish's creaminess, offering a light, clean counterpoint to the lasagna's robust turkey and cheese layers.

Spinach Lasagna Changes

• Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace ground turkey with plant-based protein like lentils, mushrooms, or crumbled tofu. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional lasagna sheets with gluten-free pasta or zucchini slices. Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour for the white sauce roux.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute lasagna sheets with thinly sliced eggplant or butternut squash layers. Replace flour-based white sauce with a cream cheese and heavy cream mixture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cheese. Substitute milk with almond or oat milk in the white sauce. Replace butter with olive oil for a completely dairy-free preparation.

FAQs

• Can I substitute ground turkey with another meat?

Yes, ground chicken or lean ground beef works perfectly as alternatives in this lasagna recipe.

• Is this lasagna recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! You can prepare the lasagna, freeze it before baking, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before cooking.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use whole wheat lasagna sheets, low-fat cheese options, and add extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to boost nutrition.

• What if I'm lactose intolerant?

Replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk, use lactose-free cheese, and substitute ricotta with lactose-free cottage cheese or tofu.

Turkey Lasagna Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty “turkey lasagna” brings comfort from Italian kitchens straight to your dinner table. Layers of lean ground turkey, creamy ricotta, and rich marinara create a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings and weekend celebrations you’ll savor bite after delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) ground turkey
• 8 lasagna sheets
• 250g ricotta cheese
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup chicken stock/broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 30g (2 tablespoons) butter
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 250ml (1 cup) milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 50g (1/4 cup) grated Cheddar cheese
• 50g (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon oil

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to the appropriate temperature and lightly grease a rectangular ceramic baking vessel for optimal lasagna preparation.
2. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, gently sauté finely diced onions, shredded carrots, and minced garlic in fragrant olive oil until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
3. Introduce ground turkey into the vegetable mixture, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until the meat transforms from pink to a rich golden-brown color.
4. Pour chopped tomatoes into the skillet, complementing with savory chicken stock, and season with salt, freshly cracked pepper, and aromatic bay leaves. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce, developing deep, complex flavors.
5. Prepare a velvety white sauce by melting butter in a separate pan, whisking in flour to create a smooth roux, then gradually incorporating milk until achieving a silky consistency. Enhance with a touch of Dijon mustard and adjust seasoning.
6. Mix ricotta cheese with thoroughly drained and chopped spinach, creating a creamy green-flecked filling.
7. Construct lasagna layers strategically: spread a base of meat sauce, layer delicate pasta sheets, distribute ricotta-spinach mixture, and drizzle white sauce, repeating until dish is generously filled.
8. Crown the lasagna with a generous sprinkle of sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan cheese.
9. Transfer to preheated oven and bake until the top turns golden and edges become delightfully crispy, with sauce bubbling invitingly around the edges.

Notes

• Replace ground turkey with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the protein-rich profile of the original dish.
• Swap whole milk for low-fat or almond milk to reduce overall calorie content while keeping the creamy white sauce texture.
• Add extra herbs like fresh basil or oregano to the meat sauce for enhanced flavor complexity and aromatic depth.
• Incorporate grated zucchini or finely chopped mushrooms into the turkey mixture to boost vegetable content and create a more nutritious lasagna.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 90mg