Renee's Kitchen Quest

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Light Lasagna Pasta

Light Lasagna Pasta

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Light Lasagna Pasta

 

Hello, my fellow foodie adventurers!

Today, we’re embarking on a delicious quest: Light Lasagna Pasta! This dish takes all the cozy, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna and transforms it into a quick, weeknight-friendly triumph with bowtie pasta, lean ground turkey, and a zesty marinara sauce. You’ll love how it comes together in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy evenings when you’re craving comfort without the fuss. The tender pasta, spicy turkey, and melty cheese meld into a crowd-pleasing feast that’s lighter yet still indulgent, and pairing it with a crisp Caesar salad and garlic bread makes it a complete victory. Ready to wield your skillet and dive into this culinary adventure?

 

Ingredients You’ll Need (Quest Inventory):

    • 12 oz. bowtie pasta (the sturdy scrolls)
    • 1 tbsp. olive oil (the golden flame)
    • 1 lb. ground turkey (the lean champion)
    • 24 oz. marinara sauce (the zesty chalice)
    • 1 tsp salt (the seasoning rune)
    • 1 tsp black pepper (a shadow kiss)
    • 1 tsp garlic powder (the bold essence)
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (the herb chant)
    • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (the fiery spark)
    • 1 tsp basil paste (the green elixir)
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (golden dust)
    • 1 cup low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded (molten treasure)
    • 1 cup light sour cream (the creamy veil)

 

How To Forge Your Feast (The Quest Steps):

    • Cook the Scrolls: Boil the 12 oz. bowtie pasta in salted water according to package runes—drain and set aside, ready for action.
    • Brown the Champion: Heat a large skillet over medium flame—add the 1 lb. ground turkey and cook, crumbling it with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes until fully browned and cooked through.
    • Brew the Sauce: Pour in the 24 oz. marinara sauce, then stir in 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp basil paste—let the flavors meld into a zesty potion.
    • Unite the Forces: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet atop the meat mixture—drizzle with 1 tbsp. olive oil for a silky touch.
    • Melt the Treasure: Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan, 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella, and 1 cup light sour cream—cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring gently, until the cheese melts and everything binds into a creamy, cohesive feast.
    • Taste the Triumph: Sample your creation—add a pinch more salt or pepper if needed to perfect the flavor.
    • Claim Your Feast: Serve hot, paired with a crisp Caesar salad and garlic breadsticks if desired—revel in this quick, cozy victory!

 

Tips Tricks & Variations

This Light Lasagna Pasta is a weeknight classic reborn, but every Kitchen Quest hero needs a few clever moves and twists to master the craft. Here’s how to wield your skills and remix this dish like a true flavor bard!

 

Cooking Tricks:

    • Pasta Prep: Undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes—it’ll finish softening in the sauce without turning mushy!
    • Cheese Melt: Add the cheeses in batches, stirring each in fully—keeps the sauce smooth and velvety.
    • Turkey Hack: Cook the turkey ahead and freeze—thaw and reheat for an even faster quest.
    • Flavor Boost: Reserve a tbsp. of pasta water to stir in—enhances the sauce’s clingy magic!

 

Tasty Variations:

    • Spicy Skirmish: Double the cayenne or add red pepper flakes—ignite a fiercer flame for the bold!
    • Veggie Vault: Mix in sautéed spinach or mushrooms—extra loot for your pasta realm.
    • Cheese Quest: Swap mozzarella for ricotta or provolone—new molten banners to wave proudly.
    • Sauce Twist: Use a spicy arrabbiata sauce instead of marinara—shifts the chalice to a fiery realm!
    • Protein Pact: Trade turkey for ground chicken or beef—a new champion to wield the lasagna crown.

 

If you missed it, swing back to my last post: Poblano Pico Grilled Cheese—a hearty, fun quest to fuel your next adventure!

Light Lasagna Pasta

Renee
Bowtie pasta, lean ground turkey, and a zesty marinara sauce served in a quick and cheesy comforting one pot dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 414 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz bowtie pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp basil paste
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup low-fat mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup light sour cream

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • In a large skillet, brown and crumble ground turkey until fully cooked.
  • Pour on the jar of sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, basil paste, and italian seasoning.
  • Add the cooked pasta on top of the meat mixture, then drizzle on olive oil.
  • Add cheese and sour cream.
  • Cook over elow heat until cheese is melted and all ingredients are combined.
  • Taste and add salt and pepper if decessary.
  • Serve and enjoy with a side salad and breadsticks if desired.
Keyword Healthy