Jump to Recipe

I’m exhausted and it’s Sunday night, but I really want to write a blog post and feature the Best Turkey Lasagna.

I can’t stand that I’ve had to set aside my blog for this long! So much for my goal of posting once a week. That flew out the window in February, which is typically one of my busiest months of the year. And I will tell you, February certainly did not end up how I thought it would.

I’m not going to dwell on that tonight, though. Instead I’m going to show you some photos from the nine-year-old’s First Communion at Zion Lutheran Church today, which was a big success. (Thanks to two of Joe’s godparents – my brother and sister-in-law – along with my niece and nephew for joining us for this special occasion!)

This is also a good excuse to share the BEST turkey lasagna recipe that I served for lunch after church. Seriously – this is good stuff. I’ve come across a few turkey lasagna recipes in my day, but this is an outstanding recipe. And my mom – a former home economics teacher and gourmet cook in her own right – agrees with me. I might be 44 but I still know when I should listen to my mom.

The recipe comes courtesy of the Meschke family, turkey farmers in the Little Falls, MN area. You can find out more about their farm by “liking” Meschke Poultry on Facebook.

So there you have it … a short and sweet blog post on this Sunday evening. I feel better now. 🙂

Joe - looking handsome!
Joe – looking handsome!
Hanging with 2 of his cousins - love that big smile!
Hanging with 2 of his cousins – love that big smile!
A bookmark made by Grandma Marilyn and a 100+ year old New Testament Bible that belonged to Joe's great grandmother's family - pretty special!
A bookmark made by Grandma Marilyn and a 100+ year old New Testament Bible that belonged to Joe’s great grandmother’s family – pretty special!
Wouldn't be a family photo without Earl the Pug!
Wouldn’t be a family photo without Earl the Pug!

Cheesy turkey deliciousness!

Can I make this lasagna the night before?

Sure thing! Just store it in the refrigerator and bake it the next day. You may need to add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time if you put it in the oven cold.

Does this lasagna freeze?

Yes! You can either freeze it before cooking or freeze it after cooking. When ready to cook, take it out of the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator for several hours.

Best Turkey Lasagna | via printmyemotions.com

Best Turkey Lasagna

Marie Meschke
You will not find a better turkey lasagna anywhere. This recipe comes from a turkey farming family in Minnesota and features homemade tomato sauce, seasonings, and all the cheese you will need!
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes reserve liquid
  • 1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
  • 8 lasagna noodles
  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
  • 12 ounces Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • Nonstick vegetable cooking spray

Instructions
 

  •  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 9” x 13” pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In olive oil, lightly brown ground turkey with onion and garlic powder until turkey is no longer pink.
  • Add salt, pepper, oregano, tomatoes and liquid, tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Assemble lasagna: begin with a layer of 1/3 meat sauce, top with 4 uncooked lasagna noodles (break to fit), half of the Ricotta cheese, half of the cottage cheese, half of  the Mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan  cheese. Repeat, ending with meat sauce and top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 45 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 31gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: -195mgSodium: 1090mg
Keyword turkey lasagna
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Best Turkey Lasagna | via printmyemotions.com

11 Comments on Best Turkey Lasagna. Seriously.

  1. Beautiful photos and congratulations to Joe! What a nice tribute to my mother-in-law as well. She is my cooking idol hands down! She showed me how to cook a turkey when we first moved to the farm 🙂 Wonderful memories your article brought to me! Loved it!

    • Thanks Lynn! I can imagine what a wonderful hostess and cook your mother-in-law is! But the same could be said for you, too! 🙂 Thanks to you and Marie for sharing some wonderful recipes through the years.

    • Yep – works every time and is way easier than cooking them ahead of time. 🙂 – Lara

  2. Hello Lara,
    I’m going to make your Lasagna for Christmas Day and just have a question. Do you need to cook the lasagna noodles ahead of time? This recipe sounds delicious and I think it’s like my grandmas.
    Merry Christmas!

    • Hi Jody! You do not need to cook the lasagna noodles ahead of time … you can even buy “oven ready” or “no boil” lasagna noodles, which is what I typically do. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!

      Lara

  3. I’m not usually much of a lasagna lover, but I made this recipe for my family, and they went crazy for it!!! So good! I loved the flavor, too. I will certainly make it again! Thank you!!!!

    • I am so happy to hear this! It’s definitely a family favorite for us too. Enjoy!

      Lara

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