Easy & Healthy Mexican Pasta Bake: A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner with Ground Turkey & Black Beans

Looking for a delicious and wholesome meal that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser? This Mexican Pasta Bake offers a delightful and vibrant twist on the classic Italian baked ziti. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is designed to bring robust flavors to your table without sacrificing health. Crafted with wholesome ingredients like whole grain pasta, lean ground turkey, and a medley of fresh vegetables, it provides a lighter yet incredibly satisfying option for all pasta lovers. Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this easy-to-make, hearty, and flavorful dish!

Click here to pin this Mexican Pasta Bake recipe to your Pinterest board and save it for later!

From South Beach Inspiration to Family Favorite: The Evolution of This Mexican Pasta Dish

This Mexican Baked Pasta recipe holds a special place in my culinary journey, having started several years ago during my time following the South Beach Diet. The initial spark came from an inspiring recipe I discovered on a South Beach Diet forum hosted on the iVillage website. I was so taken with the concept that I originally shared a version of it here on the blog way back in 2008. Over the years, as my cooking style and dietary preferences evolved, so too did this beloved recipe. The version you see today is an updated iteration, primarily featuring lean ground turkey for a lighter protein choice and, of course, presented with fresh, new photographs to do it justice. It’s truly a timeless dish that deserved a renewed spotlight, proving its enduring appeal.

Why This Mexican Pasta Bake Will Become Your New Go-To Meal

This pasta bake is a phenomenal twist on the traditional Italian baked ziti, infusing it with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors. It’s incredibly straightforward to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need a hearty, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. If your family appreciates the bold and comforting tastes of Mexican cuisine, they are guaranteed to adore this dish. The recipe thoughtfully combines whole wheat pasta for sustained energy, lean ground turkey for a healthy protein boost, and black beans, packing in even more protein and essential fiber. To further elevate the flavor and nutritional profile, we incorporate colorful vegetables, zesty salsa, and just the right amount of cheese to create a perfectly balanced and utterly delicious experience.

I’ve prepared this dish numerous times using regular black beans, always yielding fantastic results. However, in a recent culinary experiment, I decided to try a can of Bush’s new Black Chili Beans, and the outcome was absolutely delightful! The chili beans added an extra layer of smoky, savory depth that complemented the other ingredients beautifully, making an already delicious dish even more remarkable. This adaptability with ingredients is just one of the many reasons this Mexican Pasta Bake is such a winner.

A Family Favorite That Joins the Ranks of Comfort Classics

This Mexican Pasta Bake has proudly earned its spot among our most cherished family dinner recipes. It’s a dish that consistently receives rave reviews, much like other comforting meals such as the Cheesy Southwest Beef Potato Skillet and our ever-popular Chicken Gnocchi Soup. These are the recipes we turn to again and again for their ease, flavor, and ability to bring everyone together around the dinner table. This pasta bake offers a unique fusion of comfort food traditions, blending the heartiness of a baked pasta dish with the exciting and bold flavors of Mexican cuisine. It’s truly a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary and memorable for any meal occasion.

Key Ingredients for a Perfectly Balanced and Flavorful Mexican Pasta Bake

Creating a truly exceptional Mexican Pasta Bake starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor and ensuring a wholesome meal:

Whole Wheat Penne: Opting for whole wheat pasta not only adds a nutty flavor but significantly boosts the fiber content, contributing to better digestion and sustained energy. Penne is an excellent choice as its tubular shape perfectly captures the rich sauce and ground turkey mixture.
Lean Ground Turkey: This provides a fantastic, lean source of protein that keeps the dish light while still being incredibly satisfying. Its mild flavor readily absorbs the Mexican spices, making it an ideal base for the dish.
Fresh Aromatics (Garlic, Bell Pepper, Onion): These form the aromatic foundation of our bake. Sautéing them until softened releases their natural sweetness and creates a fragrant base that elevates all other flavors.
Classic Mexican Spices (Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt, Pepper): Cumin brings a warm, earthy essence, while chili powder adds a gentle heat and a complex, smoky depth. Seasoning thoughtfully with salt and pepper ensures all flavors are perfectly balanced.
Salsa: A jar of your favorite salsa is the secret weapon for convenience and flavor. It acts as both a sauce and a flavor booster, providing moisture, tang, and a subtle kick.
Black Beans: Drained and rinsed black beans add essential fiber and plant-based protein, contributing to the dish’s hearty texture and nutritional value. Experimenting with flavored chili beans, like Bush’s new Black Chili Beans, can introduce an even richer dimension of taste.
Shredded Cheese (Cheddar or Mexican Blend): No baked pasta is complete without a generous layer of melted cheese. Cheddar offers a sharp, comforting flavor, while a Mexican blend cheese can add a more complex, authentic taste, binding all the ingredients together with its creamy texture.

Each of these ingredients contributes to a harmonious blend, making this Mexican Pasta Bake a truly special and healthy dinner option.

Print Recipe

Mexican Baked Pasta

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 13 oz of whole wheat penne (approx. 6.5 oz or 185g)
1 lb of lean ground turkey
1 TB olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large bell pepper, chopped (any color works well)
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
pinch salt and pepper, to taste
24 oz jar of salsa (I used Pace chunky mild, but use your favorite)
1 can Bush’s Black Beans, drained and rinsed (or Bush’s new Black Chili Beans for extra flavor)
2 cups of shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Directions:

Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your casserole is ready to go in, allowing for even baking and a perfectly golden crust.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat penne and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Al dente pasta will maintain a slight bite, which is ideal for baked dishes as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven without becoming mushy. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Brown Turkey: In a large, heated non-stick skillet, add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the minced garlic, chopped bell peppers, and chopped onion. Sauté these vegetables over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until they have softened and become fragrant. Next, add the lean ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the turkey is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Stir in the cumin, chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper, ensuring the spices evenly coat the turkey and vegetables.
Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooked turkey and vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the drained and rinsed black beans, the jar of salsa, and the cooked penne pasta. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the pasta, turkey, beans, and sauce are well distributed.
Assemble and Bake: Pour half of the pasta mixture evenly into a large casserole dish (approximately 9×13 inches). Spread 1 cup of the shredded cheese over this first layer of pasta. Then, add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it out evenly. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pasta bake is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is beautifully melted and golden brown.

Nutritional Information: Per serving (via My Fitness Pal estimate): Approximately 450 calories, 18g total fat, 10g dietary fiber, 49g carbohydrate, 29g protein. This makes it a balanced and fulfilling meal.

Don’t forget to Follow AggiesKitchen on Instagram and share your culinary creations with us! We love seeing what recipes you’re making from the blog. Use the hashtag #aggieskitchen so I can see what delicious dishes you are cooking up!

More Healthy Baked Dishes Perfect for Weeknights to Inspire You:

If you’re looking for other wholesome and easy baked meals for your busy schedule, here are some fantastic suggestions from fellow food bloggers:

Healthy Stuffed Pepper Casserole | Rachel Cooks: This comforting casserole takes all the flavors of classic stuffed peppers and transforms them into an effortless, hearty bake that’s perfect for a satisfying family dinner.

Greek Turkey, Rice and Feta Casserole | Cookin’ Canuck: A Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines lean ground turkey with fluffy rice, savory feta, and aromatic herbs for a light yet incredibly flavorful casserole experience.

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie | Well Plated: Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with a lighter twist! This healthy version of chicken pot pie is packed with vegetables and tender chicken, offering all the creamy goodness you love without the guilt.

For more pasta inspiration and other delicious recipes, be sure to check out my Pinterest board!

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Pasta on Pinterest.

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!! Wishing you a fun-filled and festive holiday weekend!

(Disclosure: While I do have a working relationship with Bush’s Beans, I want to clarify that this particular post and recipe are not sponsored by them. I simply enjoyed using their beans in my recipe and wanted to share my honest experience!)