Mmmm! Nothing smells quite as appetizing as a pot of homemade Italian gravy (aka pasta sauce). Heart and hearth-warming baked pasta doesn't have to be a waist-expanding dinner no-no. You can have all of the delicious Italian spice and tomato aroma along with great nutrition.

We've cooked up a quick, easy, low-fat, high-protein version of a hearty family-pleasing Italian meal. Throw this together, pop it in the oven, and you'll have a healthy meal your whole family will ask for over and over again.

We picked gluten free multi-grain quinoa penne because of its high antioxidant, high vitamin, and high protein content. The multi-grains hold up well to layering and baking. Plus, quinoa helps to increase muscle-building protein and bone-building calcium. And, the ancient Peruvian grain also has high amounts of antioxidants and vitamin E to boot.¹

We also wanted to build up the antioxidants like polyphenols in this dish. Pasta made with quinoa has more polyphenols than gluten free pastas made from potatoes, rice, or corn.¹ Polyphenols are an antioxidant associated with better weight management, balanced blood sugars, and a healthy heart.² Tomato sauce is packed with lycopene which helps to repair cells all over your body. It's also a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.³

We're saving time by using pre-made pasta sauce. Tomatoes actually gain antioxidants after being cooked!² Get healthy protein and maximum taste with less fat by using a package of ground turkey and a package of Italian turkey sausage.

Put your own spin on this Italian casserole by turning up the garlic and seasoning—or toning them down depending on your taste. Layer the ingredients in your favorite baking dish, top with the shredded mozzarella, and pop it in the oven until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Yummy + Share: Quinoa Pasta

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 bag Gluten Free Multi Grain Quinoa Penne
2 jars of your favorite pasta sauce
1 package ground turkey
1 package Italian turkey sausage
1 cup of low fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
Minced garlic and Italian seasonings to taste

Instructions

Cook the quinoa noodles per directions on the package.

Cook the ground turkey, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and minced garlic while cooking.

In another pan, sauté the turkey sausage until browned. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and minced garlic while cooking. Slice into pieces after cooking.

Mix the ground turkey, turkey sausage slices, quinoa noodles, 1.5 jars of pasta sauce, ½ cup of low fat shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning together.

Put in a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Put in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until all of the cheese is melted.

References

1 https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/whole-grains-101-orphan-pages-found/health-benefits-quinoa
2 https://www.tandfonline.com/ doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2017.1354017
3 https://www.floridatomatoes.org/news-events/10-reasons-why-you-should-be-eating-more-tomatoes/