Turkey and Pasta Bake

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook time: 20 - 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Description
A nutritious, healthy meal featuring turkey seasoned with some simple, yet tasty, ingredients. Serve with a loaf of crusty ciabatta bread (or whatever you have on hand) and a good red wine.

Ingredients

 * 1 lb. lean ground turkey (93/7 blend)
 * 5 oz. smoked turkey bacon, chopped
 * 2 garlic cloves, crushed
 * 1 onion, finely chopped
 * 2 carrots, diced
 * 2 tbsp. tomato paste
 * 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
 * 8 oz. rigatoni or penne pasta
 * 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
 * Salt and black pepper

Directions

 * 1) Brown the turkey in a nonstick saucepan, breaking up any large pieces until the meat is well-browned all over.
 * 2) Add the chopped turkey bacon, garlic, onion, carrots, paste, stock and seasoning. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 1 hour, until all the vegetables are tender.
 * 3) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and mix with the turkey sauce.
 * 4) Transfer to a shallow ovenproof dish and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes, until lightly browned on top.