Baked Spaghetti with Turkey Meat Sauce and Simple Salad

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 3 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package directions, then drain (reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water).
3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 8–10 minutes.
5. Stir in the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 8–12 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened. If needed, add a splash more pasta water to keep it saucy.
6. In a large bowl, combine the drained spaghetti with the turkey sauce. Stir in Parmesan and half the mozzarella. Mix well.
7. Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and a little parsley.
8. Bake until bubbling and lightly browned on top, 20–25 minutes. If you want extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end (watch closely).
9. Meanwhile, make the simple side salad: in a large bowl, toss greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
10. Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle over the salad and toss.
11. Rest the baked spaghetti for 5–10 minutes, then serve with the side salad.