Creamy Turkey Pasta Bake with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

This hearty pasta bake combines tender cavatappi with savory ground turkey, sweet caramelized onions and earthy cremini mushrooms, all enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce. A crunchy panko and Parmesan topping adds the perfect golden finish, making this dish a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. The combination of white cheddar and cream cheese creates a luscious sauce that coats every noodle, while the crispy topping adds a delightful contrast.

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Ingredients

10 ounce Ground TurkeyView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Cavatappi PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup White Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Cream Sauce BaseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 tablespoon Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Cremini MushroomsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Mushroom Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon (tbsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with a rack in the top position. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Slice mushrooms if not pre-sliced. Halve, peel and thinly slice onion. Trim and slice scallions, separating whites and greens. In a small bowl, combine panko, half the Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper; set aside.
2. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crispy, 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the pan and set aside.
3. Once water boils, add cavatappi and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
4. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add onion and scallion whites; cook, stirring, until browned and softened, 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add 1 teaspoon sugar and a splash of water. Cook, adding more water as needed, until onion is caramelized and jammy, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add mushrooms, cream sauce base and mushroom stock concentrate to the pan. Cook, stirring, until simmering, 1-2 minutes. Stir in cream cheese, cheddar, remaining Parmesan and butter until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time. Season with pepper.
6. Stir drained cavatappi into the sauce. Transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with panko mixture. Bake on top rack until panko is golden brown, 2-4 minutes.
7. Garnish with scallion greens and serve directly from the dish.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rigatoni or fusilli works well in this dish.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble the pasta bake without the panko topping, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the topping and bake just before serving.

Can I substitute the ground turkey?

Ground chicken or pork would be excellent substitutes. For a vegetarian version, use a plant-based ground meat alternative.