Turkey Noodle Casserole

• wide egg noodles↗8 ounces
• salt↗
• extra virgin olive oil↗1 tablespoon
• bacon↗3

  chopped

• ground turkey breast↗1 1⁄3 lbs

  (or the average weight of 1 package)

• white button mushrooms↗16 ounces

  trimmed & sliced

• medium onion↗1

  chopped

• black pepper↗
• poultry seasoning or dried thyme2 teaspoons
• dry white wine↗1⁄2 cup
• chicken stock↗1 cup
• heavy cream↗1⁄2 cup
• nutmeg↗1⁄4 teaspoon

  freshly grated

• butter↗2 tablespoons

  softened

• gruyere cheese↗2 cups

  grated (8 oz. brick)

• cup plain breadcrumbs↗1
• tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped↗2 -3

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Bring large pot of water to a boil, add salt and cook noodles until al dente, about 4 minutes - (I added 1 tsp Salt).

2. 2

   Preheat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil and bacon, rendering fat, about 2-3 minutes. Can use smoked bacon, turkey bacon, or ham.

3. 3

   Add breast meat and cook, using a wooden spoon to crumble.

4. 4

   Move the meat over to one side of the skillet and add onions and mushrooms to the opposite side.

5. 5

   Cook onions and mushrooms 3-5 minutes and then combine them with the meat mixture and season liberally with salt and pepper - (I cooked onions for about 8-10 minutes to soften more and I used canned mushrooms, adding them the last 2 minutes. I sprinkled with 1/2 tsp both salt & pepper).

6. 6

   Sprinkle with Poultry Season - (I used 1 Tbl.).

7. 7

   Cook for 5 minutes and then add wine.

8. 8

   Deglaze pan lifting up any drippings or bits.

9. 9

   Stir in stock and bring to a bubble, then stir in cream and reduce heat to low.

10. 10

    Add nutmeg to sauce and stir -(I used 1/4 tsp dried nutmeg).

11. 11

    Taste to adjust seasonings.

12. 12

    Preheat broiler to high.

13. 13

    Combine drained noodles with turkey sauce.

14. 14

    Grease an oblong casserole dish with a little butter nestled in a pc of paper towel, then tranfer the turkey noodle mixture to the dish - (I used Pam, worked fine).

15. 15

    Top the casserole with the Gruyere (Emmentaler OR Jarlsberg OR Appenzell OR Raclette OR Swiss cheese), then bread crumbs -(I used Mozzarella and it tasted super)

16. 16

    Place casserole 8-10 inches from the broiler and brown 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and the crumbs have browned - (I baked 30 minutes to allow the noodles to absorb all the juices and it browned nicely).

17. 17

    Garnish with parsley.

18. 18

    Time took me 20/30, not her 10/20.