Saucy Baked Pumpkin Pasta

INGREDIENTS

For the sauce:

1/2 tbsp

olive oil

3 cloves

garlic, minced

white onion, diced

red bell pepper, diced

2 cups

sliced baby bella mushrooms

1 lb

94% lean ground turkey*

1 tbsp

italian seasoning

1/2 tsp

paprika

1/2 tsp

red pepper flakes (or a dash of cayenne pepper)

nutmeg

1/2 tsp

salt, plus more to taste

Freshly ground pepper

jar marinara pasta sauce (or whatever sauce you love best)

1 cup

pumpkin puree

8 oz

ziti or pasta of choice (use gluten free pasta if GF)

For the cheese mixture:

1 cup

part-skim ricotta

6 oz

fresh mozzarella, cut into small bite sized pieces and divided (you can also use about 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese)

1/4 cup

grated parmesan cheese

To garnish:

Fresh chopped parsley or sage

Extra parmesan