My easy recipe for Chili mac makes dinner time a breeze with quick clean-up! My healthier One Pot Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac is the perfect weeknight meal for the whole family, with lean protein and fiber packed in. I begin by making a healthy chili recipe using lean ground turkey. Then, I keep it moist by adding a ton of spices and tomatoes. I enjoy beans in my chili, so I also add a can of kidney beans for fiber and protein. Next, I cook the pasta right in the chili. In the end, I top everything off with cheese. The entire family will request chili mac at least once a week, with my One Pot Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac!
Recipes Similar to One Pot Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac:
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Why Are One Pot Dinners So Useful?
One pot dinners are meals that only take one pot to cook the entire dish in. Chili is an awesome one pot meal because it simmers all day long with only a few dishes to wash in the end. Less dishes means more family time! In addition to the ease of only washing one dish, one pot meals are also an economical way to feed a lot of people. Big families love one pot meals because everyone can serve themselves a scoop of chili mac and there will still be leftovers. One pot dinners can also help you use produce that may be on its last leg. Celery or tomatoes that are looking sad can be repurposed into a stew or chili, allowing you to use something that you may have otherwise thrown away.
One pot dinners are an easy and successful way of feeding the whole family a healthy, hearty meal. For more one pot dinners, try my Easy One Pot Thai Chicken and Rice!
Ingredients in One Pot Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac
- extra virgin olive oil
- lean ground turkey
- onion
- minced garlic
- chili powder
- cumin
- paprika
- garlic powder
- salt
- red chili flakes
- cinnamon
- no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
- water
- reduced-sodium dark red kidney beans
- whole-grain elbow pasta
- reduced-fat mild cheddar shredded cheese
How to Make One Pot Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large stockpot, or Dutch oven. Add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it is cooked, about 4-6 minutes.
Add the onion, garlic, and all of the spices. Stir together and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, until the onions are soft.
Add the crushed tomatoes and water. Bring up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Add the beans and pasta. Stir together, and continue simmering for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to al dente.
Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the cheese over the chili, and let stand 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts. Cover it with a lid to melt the cheese faster.
Serve with optional light sour cream or Greek yogurt and chopped cilantro.
One Pot Cheesy Turkey Chili Mac
Ingredients
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb. fat-free ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1 14-oz. can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 15.5-oz. can reduced-sodium dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 8 oz. whole grain elbow pasta, dry
- 3/4 cup reduced-fat mild cheddar shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large stock pot, or Dutch oven. Add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it is cooked, about 4-6 minutes.
- Add the onion, garlic, and all of the spices. Stir together and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, until the onions are soft.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and water. Bring up to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the beans and pasta. Stir together, and continue simmering for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to al dente.
- Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the cheese over the chili, and let stand 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts. Cover it with a lid to melt the cheese faster.
- Serve with optional light sour cream or Greek yogurt and chopped cilantro.
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