Turkey Chili Mac and Cheese (Printable)

Comforting blend of chili and cheesy mac with ground turkey, beans, and spices. Perfect family dinner in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
06 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Pasta

08 - 12 oz elbow macaroni

→ Dairy

09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup milk

→ Pantry & Spices

11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
13 - 1 tbsp chili powder
14 - 1 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
17 - 1/2 tsp salt
18 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Toppings

19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Fresh cilantro
21 - Sour cream

# How To Cook:

01 - Prepare elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn.
04 - Add lean ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and completely cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
05 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the turkey. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their flavors.
06 - Add tomato paste and continue cooking for 1 minute, stirring to combine thoroughly with the meat mixture.
07 - Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, drained kidney beans, and black beans. Mix well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
08 - Reduce heat to low. Add the cooked macaroni, milk, and 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy and coats the pasta.
09 - Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and let stand for about 2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
10 - Serve the chili mac immediately while hot. Garnish generously with sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms two comfort food classics into one irresistible weeknight dinner that comes together in under an hour
  • The protein packed turkey and beans make it substantial enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites
  • The leftover situation is legendary, tasting even better the next day for lunch
02 -
  • Reserve about a half cup of pasta water before draining, sometimes you need it to loosen the sauce
  • The pasta will continue absorbing liquid, so if you are reheating leftovers, splash in a little milk
  • Grating your own cheese makes an enormous difference in how smoothly it melts
03 -
  • Use the largest pan you own so you have room to stir everything together without making a mess
  • Taste before you serve, adjusting salt or spices based on your preference

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