Turkey Lasagna is the most delicious comfort food. This lasagna recipe is perfect for freezing and reheating on a busy weeknight since it makes its own sauce from scratch.
It’s comfort food season! Thank goodness I’m not the only one who wants to eat all the delicious cheesy casseroles while lounging around in sweatpants!
This Turkey Lasagna recipe is perfect comfort food. It is made with the most amazing ground turkey meat sauce that really makes the dish. From there we use ricotta cheese, eggs, and freshly grated Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese. All of these flavors combine to make a lasagna that you can serve with pride. Reader Review.
This was a terrific recipe. It was super easy to make and very flavorful. I really appreciate the well written instructions on the dish. Highly recommend this recipe.
Lasagna, a classic Italian dish, is a beloved comfort food enjoyed by families and friends worldwide While traditional lasagna often features ground beef, a healthier and equally delicious alternative is turkey lasagna This guide combines the best aspects of two popular turkey lasagna recipes to create the ultimate culinary experience.
The Ambitious Kitchen’s Healthy Turkey Lasagna: A Flavorful Feast
The recipe from The Ambitious Kitchen focuses on making a flavorful and nutritious lasagna with lean ground turkey, Italian spices, and fresh herbs. The creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese offer a delightful texture contrast, and the homemade tomato basil sauce adds a hint of sweetness and depth.
Ingredients:
- For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 white onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup julienned fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- For the Lasagna Noodles:
- 10 regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free lasagna noodles
- For the Filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- For the Topping:
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the ground turkey and onion and cook, breaking up the turkey with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, maple syrup, water, basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles, overlapping as needed. Spread with half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with half of the sauce. Repeat layers. Top with the remaining 3 lasagna noodles and the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Simple Joy’s Turkey Lasagna: A Straightforward and Delicious Option
Simple Joy’s recipe focuses on creating a straightforward and delicious turkey lasagna that is perfect for busy weeknights. The recipe uses a simple tomato sauce and a combination of ricotta and mozzarella cheese for a classic lasagna experience.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% fat)
- 28 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, and ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles, overlapping as needed. Spread with half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with half of the sauce. Repeat layers. Top with the remaining 3 lasagna noodles and the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Turkey Lasagna
- Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. This will result in the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook the lasagna noodles. They should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to set.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
By combining the best aspects of both recipes you can create a truly exceptional turkey lasagna that is both flavorful and satisfying. Whether you prefer a healthier option with homemade sauce or a straightforward and delicious classic these recipes provide the perfect starting point for your culinary adventure. So gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to experience the ultimate turkey lasagna!
Ground Turkey Lasagna Sauce
Our family cooks with ground turkey a lot. My family loves the flavor, and I love the fat that can be cut from a recipe. In this recipe we are using 93% fat ground turkey. When adding the ground turkey to the pan to make the sauce, make sure to fully break it up.
You want to cook it until it is broken up and just beginning to brown. There is no need to make sure that it is cooked until no longer pink. The simmering of the sauce and the baking of the lasagna will cook it all the way through.
Low Carb Turkey Lasagna
To make this recipe low-carb, just follow the directions to the letter, but you can use zucchini instead of noodles. To roast the zucchini, proceed as directed in my recipe for Zucchini Lasagna, taking care not to add too much liquid.
This lasagna recipe can be made the day before and refrigerated. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours. When baking time comes, bake it in the preheated oven for an additional five to ten minutes.
How to Make the Perfect Turkey Lasagna Every Time
FAQ
What not to do when making lasagna?
Should you bake lasagna covered or uncovered?
Do you put meat sauce at the bottom of a lasagna?
What is homemade Turkey lasagna?
A hearty, cheesy lasagna is the perfect cozy comfort food and this homemade turkey lasagna always hits the spot! It’s filled with plenty of fresh herbs, spices, fresh garlic, and instead of traditional ground beef or Italian sausage we’re using ground turkey!
Can one eat lasagna?
Lasagna can be eaten, but we must know what the person needs, or better. If you seek weight loss, or control the consumption of pasta and cheese. If you are looking for weight loss, it is advisable to replace the layers of pasta with vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant, helping to balance the nutritional value.
How do you assemble a Turkey lasagna?
Layer your lasagna. Now it’s time to assemble! Spread turkey meat sauce on the bottom of a prepared baking dish, place lasagna noodles on top, spread with the ricotta mixture, then top with basil and mozzarella slices. Add more meat sauce and parmesan cheese, then repeat the layers once more. Bake & serve.
Can you use ground turkey in Lasagna?
Ground Turkey: usually lasagna is made with ground beef and/or ground Italian sausage but we’re making a lighter version of the classic and using ground turkey. You can use regular dark meat ground turkey if you like or use ground turkey breast. Green Bell Pepper: I love the extra bit of flavor fresh bell pepper adds to the meat sauce.