Snuggle Up with Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Lasagna Recipe Tonight

Layers of rich, hearty flavors dance through this delectable Barefoot Contessa turkey lasagna recipe that brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Ina garten’s culinary expertise shines in every bite of this comforting masterpiece.

Tender ground turkey melds perfectly with robust tomato sauce and creamy cheese.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures and tastes that will delight your palate.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings become extraordinary with this simple yet elegant dish.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to savor every delicious layer.

Get ready to fall in love with a lasagna that breaks from traditional beef recipes and offers a lighter, equally satisfying alternative.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 6

Turkey Lasagna Ingredients List

• Olive Oil: Provides silky foundation for sautéing, choose extra virgin for richer flavor.
• Onion: Builds aromatic depth, select firm and glossy ones for maximum sweetness.
• Garlic: Adds robust intensity, pick plump cloves without sprouts.

• Turkey Sausage: Delivers lean protein with zesty seasoning, look for fresh, well-marbled meat.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates rich, hearty sauce base, opt for San Marzano variety if possible.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor, choose brands with minimal additives.

• Ricotta Cheese: Provides creamy texture, select whole milk version for luxurious consistency.
• Goat Cheese: Introduces tangy complexity, pick fresh, locally produced if available.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes sharp, salty notes, select aged varieties for deeper flavor.
• Mozzarella: Creates melty, stretchy layer, choose fresh Italian-style for best results.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, use room temperature farm-fresh eggs.

• Lasagna Noodles: Creates layered structure, select no-boil or traditional based on preference.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, herbal freshness, choose vibrant green leaves.
• Fresh Basil: Adds aromatic sweetness, select leaves without dark spots.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor, use kosher or sea salt.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat, grind fresh for maximum potency.

Kitchen Tools for Turkey Lasagna Success

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking the sauce and browning turkey sausage.
• Large Bowl: Perfect for softening lasagna noodles in hot water.
• Medium Bowl: Used for mixing ricotta and cheese mixture.
• 23x30cm Baking Dish: Ideal for layering and baking the lasagna.
• Fork: Helpful for breaking apart turkey sausage while cooking.
• Ladle: Great for spreading sauce evenly in the baking dish.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping onions and mincing garlic.

Baking Turkey Lasagna – Step-by-Step

• Kitchen Preparation

Gather all cooking equipment and clear workspace for smooth lasagna creation. Ensure oven rack is positioned in central location for even heating.

• Savory Sauce Foundation

Craft rich sauce by gently sautéing onions and garlic until aromatic. Incorporate ground turkey, breaking into delicate crumbles. Add tomato components and herbs, allowing mixture to develop deep flavors through slow simmering.

• Noodle Softening

Submerge pasta sheets in warm water, allowing them to relax and become pliable. This technique ensures tender, silky layers without precooking.

• Creamy Cheese Blend

Combine soft cheeses with egg and seasonings, creating a luxurious filling that adds richness and complexity to each lasagna slice.

• Layering Magic

Build lasagna like an edible artwork, alternating sauce, noodles, and cheese mixtures. Create balanced layers that promise delightful texture in every bite.

• Oven Transformation

Bake until lasagna develops golden, bubbly top. Allow brief resting period to help layers set and intensify flavors before serving this comforting dish.

Turkey Lasagna Tips & Flavor Swaps

• Smart Lasagna Techniques
• Replace turkey sausage with ground chicken, lean beef, or plant-based crumbles for diverse flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Mix different soft cheeses like ricotta with mascarpone or feta to create unique, creamy textures that elevate the traditional recipe.
• Prepare the entire lasagna up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking for perfect temperature balance.
• Incorporate finely chopped spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms into the cheese mixture to add nutritional value and extra moisture without compromising the dish's classic structure.

How to Serve Turkey Lasagna Hot & Hearty

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, hearty lasagna with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette, cutting through the dish's creamy texture and adding refreshing contrast.
• Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to enhance the visual appeal and provide a burst of fresh herbal flavor.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Offer warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic bread on the side to help soak up the delicious sauce and complete the comforting meal experience.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to harmonize with the turkey sausage and tomato-based sauce, elevating the dining pleasure.

Keep It Tasty – Turkey Lasagna Storage Guide

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping its rich flavors and texture intact.
• Freeze with Care: Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, freezing for up to 3 months without losing quality.
• Reheat Gently: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 175°C (350°F) covered with foil for 20-25 minutes to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Portion and Plan: Cut into single servings before freezing for easy weeknight meals, allowing quick defrosting and reheating without waste.

Effortless Barefoot Contessa Turkey Lasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s turkey lasagna delivers comfort with lean protein and rich, creamy layers. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this classic Italian-American dish a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

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• 680g sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
• 425g ricotta cheese
• 450g fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan
• ¼ cup (25g) Parmesan for sprinkling
• 85–113g creamy goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• One 28-oz (794g) can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree
• One 6-oz (170g) can tomato paste
• 15g chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 10g kosher salt
• 2g freshly ground black pepper
• ½ lb (227g) lasagna noodles

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then add garlic. Introduce turkey sausage, breaking into crumbles and cooking thoroughly. Incorporate crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, developing deep flavor complexity.
2. Pasta Conditioning: Immerse pasta sheets in hot water, allowing them to soften for 20 minutes. Drain carefully, keeping sheets intact and ready for layering.
3. Cheese Mixture Creation: Blend ricotta, goat cheese, Parmesan, egg, remaining parsley, and seasonings until smooth and homogeneous.
4. Lasagna Assembly: Spread sauce base in a 23×30 centimeter baking dish. Layer systematically: pasta sheets, mozzarella slices, and cheese mixture. Repeat stratification, culminating with a Parmesan crown.
5. Baking and Finishing: Position in oven preheated to 200°C (180°C fan) or 400°F. Bake for 30 minutes until surface turns golden and edges bubble with intensity. Rest for 5 minutes to allow layers to stabilize and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Perfect Pasta Preparation: Soak lasagna sheets in hot water for exactly 20 minutes to ensure they’re perfectly pliable without becoming mushy or breaking during layering.
• Sauce Simmering Secret: Let the turkey sauce reduce slowly for 15-20 minutes to concentrate flavors and create a rich, robust base that elevates the entire dish.
• Cheese Mixture Mastery: Blend cheeses thoroughly and season generously to create a creamy, well-integrated filling that adds depth and luxurious texture.
• Resting Ritual: Allow the lasagna to rest for 5 minutes after baking, which helps layers set and makes cutting and serving much easier without falling apart.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 150mg