Name: Cheesy Turkey, Turmeric & Broccoli Pasta Bake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 350 g dry pasta (something short like rigatoni, penne or orecchiette); 4 tbsp butter (divided); 1 cup yellow onion (diced); 1/3 cup flour; 3 tsp turmeric; 3 cups whole milk (room temperature); 2 cups gruyere cheese (grated (1/2 cup set aside)); 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (grated (1/4 cup set aside)); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp ground clove; 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 1 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme (finely chopped (1/2 --Tbsp set aside)); 3 cups broccoli (cut into small florets (approx. 2 small heads)); 300 g smoked turkey sausage (pre-cooked, sliced on bias); 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

Cook pasta in salted water to about 3/4 doneness, or quite al dente, as directed on the box. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Strain and set aside.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a very large pot, on low heat, add half the butter and diced onion. Cook the onion until translucent. Add remaining butter, and let it melt, then whisk in the flour and turmeric until they are well incorporated. Cook for a minute or two while stirring frequently.

Adjust heat to medium-to-low. Slowly add milk to the roux mixture while whisking constantly. Keep whisking and simmering until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cup gruyere and 3/4 cup parmesan and stir until completely melted and velvety. Add salt, clove, pepper and 1 Tbsp thyme, and mix.

Add the pasta, pasta water, broccoli and turkey sausage to the pot, and using a rubber spatula gently fold over all the ingredients until they are coated in cheese sauce. Always turn and stir from the bottom to avoid breaking the noodles.

Transfer the pasta mixture to a bake safe casserole dish, something 9×12” or bigger.

In a small bowl combine panko, the remaining parmesan, gruyere, and thyme. Cover the top of the pasta evenly with this gratin mixture.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the top has become crispy and some bits turn golden brown. Serve immediately.