Ingredients

The following ingredients have 6 Servings
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 pound ground turkey or ground sirloin
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (from about 1 large onion)
  • 1 3/4 teaspoon salt (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 5 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 8 ounces light cream cheese
  • 2 cups milk (1% or skim work great)
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (drained)
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instruction

  • Coat a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat the broiler.
  • In a large pot of lightly salted, boiling water, cook the penne pasta according to package directions.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add beef or turkey to the pan with the diced onions and 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring to break up the meat into small pieces, until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess grease from the meat.
  • Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute or so. Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture, stirring to combine, and cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat.
  • Add the cream cheese in pieces, scattering it over the meat. Let it melt into the meat and stir to combine. Whisk or stir in the milk, nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt and tomatoes. Stir to combine well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Cook 5-6 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened and is thoroughly heated through.
  • Stir in the pasta and spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta and broil for about 3-5 minutes (watching carefully so it doesn't burn!). Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley. Let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving.