Description
This Turkey Chili Mac and Cheese is a hearty, healthy, one-pot meal that combines ground turkey, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and whole grain macaroni with a cheesy chili twist. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it comes together quickly in about 30 minutes and offers a balanced mix of protein, fiber, and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 3/4 cups low sodium vegetable or poultry broth
- 1 3/4 cups tomato sauce (approximately 540 ml)
- 1/2 cup milk
Other Ingredients
- 540 ml canned kidney beans, rinsed (19 oz)
- 3 cups whole grain macaroni, dry (340-375 g)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the turkey: In a large skillet, lightly grease if needed, then cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat until browned thoroughly. This helps develop flavor and texture.
- Sauté aromatics and spices: Add the finely diced onion, chili powder, salt, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onion softens and the spices become fragrant.
- Add beans, tomato sauce, and broth: Stir in the rinsed kidney beans, tomato sauce, and vegetable or poultry broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine flavors.
- Cook the macaroni: Stir in the dry whole grain macaroni and return to a simmer. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Add milk and cheese: Stir in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Reserve some cheese if you prefer to sprinkle on top before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is a nutritious, one-pot meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
- Using whole grain macaroni boosts fiber content for added health benefits.
- Adjust salt and chili powder according to your taste preferences.
- Reserving some shredded cheese to sprinkle on top before serving adds extra cheesy goodness.
- A step-by-step recipe video is available to guide you through the cooking process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 375 grams
- Calories: 662 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1330 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 83 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
