5 PM Family Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A one-pan pasta bake with ground turkey and mixed vegetables, ready to serve by 5 PM for a stress-free weeknight dinner. This Italian-American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, ground turkey, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 Italian-American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground turkey
24 oz marinara sauce
16 oz frozen mixed vegetables
3 cloves, minced garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz penne pasta for 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground turkey and 3 minced garlic cloves, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5 minutes until browned, then stir in 1 tsp Italian seasoning.
Step 3: Add 24 oz marinara sauce and 16 oz frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes.
Step 4: Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet, mixing until coated. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden, then let rest for 5 minutes before serving.