Ground Turkey Noodles Baked

"A satisfying casserole using ground turkey, egg noodles, and plenty of cheese."
3 cups wide egg noodles

 1 pound ground turkey

 1 onion, chopped

 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

 1/2 cup milk

 4 ounces cream cheese

 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

 1 clove garlic, minced

 1 1/4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

 Add all ingredients to list

Preparation 

15m    |     

Cooking 

35m     |    Ready In 50 m

Preheat your oven to a toasty 375 degrees Fahrenheit (that's around 190 degrees Celsius for our metric pals). Take a moment to lightly grease a charming 8-inch square baking dish, preparing it for the culinary masterpiece to come.

Next, let's attend to the star of our show: the egg noodles. In a generously sized pot, bring some lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Once bubbling with enthusiasm, gently introduce the egg noodles to the water ballet, stirring occasionally like a maestro guiding his orchestra. Let them dance until they're cooked through yet maintain a delightful firmness to the bite, a journey of about 5 minutes. Once they've hit their culinary crescendo, bid them adieu and drain them of their aquatic abode.

Meanwhile, in a grand skillet over a medium-high flame, commence the sautéing symphony by tossing in the turkey and onion. With your culinary baton, conduct their performance until the turkey is crumbled, beautifully browned, and has shed its pink demeanor, a process spanning approximately 10 minutes. Once they've completed their savory sonnet, bid adieu to any excess fat by draining them of their excess liquid. Then, in a harmonious marriage of flavors, introduce the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning to the skillet, letting them waltz together in a delightful boil. Once their dance reaches a climax, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, tuck them in under a cozy lid, and let them serenade each other for a blissful 10 minutes.

Now, let's give some tender loving care to our creamy concoction. In a quaint saucepan, combine the milk, cream cheese, parsley, and garlic, crafting a velvety elixir. Over medium heat, coax them into a harmonious fusion, gently stirring until the cream cheese surrenders to the warmth and melts into a luscious symphony of flavors, a process taking about 5 minutes.

With all elements now prepared, it's time for the grand finale. Gather your cooked noodles like a bouquet of culinary delights and toss them gently in the embrace of the cream cheese mixture, ensuring each strand is coated in decadence. Then, with a flourish, transfer this heavenly ensemble into the awaiting embrace of the prepared baking dish, where it will await its crowning glory.

Top this culinary canvas with the savory turkey mixture, spreading it like a delicious blanket over the creamy noodles. Finally, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese atop this masterpiece, each delicate strand promising a gooey, melty delight.

Slide this masterpiece into the preheated oven, where it will undergo its transformation from raw ingredients to culinary perfection. Watch with bated breath as the cheese melts and bubbles, infusing the kitchen with its irresistible aroma. Depending on your oven's temperament, this spectacle will unfold over the next 15 to 30 minutes, culminating in a dish worthy of applause.

And there you have it, a symphony of flavors and textures, lovingly crafted and awaiting its moment to shine on your dinner table. Enjoy!