Baked Penne with Turkey

By

Amanda Haas, Cooking Light Real Family Food, Oxmoor House

2012

  • 10
  • 70 mins

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces uncooked penne (tube-shaped pasta)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages presliced mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups organic vegetable broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cups chopped cooked turkey breast
  • 1 cup frozen petite green peas, thawed
  • 4 ounces grated fresh Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup), divided
  • Cooking spray
  • Thyme leaves (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.

3. Drain and return to pan. Cover and keep warm.

4. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

5. Add oil; swirl to coat.

6. Add mushrooms; cook 8 minutes or until browned and tender, stirring occasionally.

7. Stir in sherry, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.

8. Cook 1 minute or until liquid evaporates.

9. Remove mushrooms from pan.

10. Add onion and garlic to pan; sauté over medium heat 4 minutes.

11. Add 1 tablespoon water; cook 1 minute or until tender, stirring constantly.

12. Place flour in a large saucepan; gradually add vegetable broth and next 4 ingredients (through pepper), stirring with a whisk until blended.

13. Place over medium heat; cook until thick (about 5 minutes), stirring constantly.

13. Add butter, stirring until melted.

14. Add sauce, mushrooms, onion mixture, turkey, peas, and 1/2 cup cheese to pasta, stirring until cheese melts.

15. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9–inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.

16. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

17. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 minutes.

18. Let stand 5 minutes.

19. Garnish with thyme, if desired.

Kids Can Help: Kids can combine the sauce, turkey, peas, onion mixture, and mushrooms with the pasta, and then sprinkle the cheese on top before it bakes.