Baked Ranch Turkey Chili Mac (Printable)

A hearty casserole combining ground turkey, beans, and pasta with zesty ranch flavor and melted cheddar cheese.

# Components:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Pasta

07 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

→ Dairy

08 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup milk

→ Liquids

10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
11 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tsp ground cumin
16 - 1 tsp chili powder
17 - 1/2 tsp paprika
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
03 - Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and dry ranch dressing mix. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, black beans, uncooked macaroni, and chicken broth. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
06 - Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Stir in milk and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the surface.
09 - Transfer the uncovered pot to the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with a lightly golden top.
10 - Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup feels like a victory lap instead of a chore.
  • The ranch seasoning adds a savory twang that makes this taste nothing like boring mac and cheese.
  • Ground turkey keeps it light and lean without sacrificing that hearty, stick-to-your-ribs comfort.
  • It's ready in under an hour, which means weeknight dinners actually happen on time.
02 -
  • If you add the pasta already cooked, it turns to paste by the time the dish is done, so use it uncooked and let the broth do the cooking.
  • The liquid will look like too much before it goes in the oven, but the pasta absorbs most of it and creates that creamy consistency without any cream.
03 -
  • Don't skip the milk step thinking the broth will be enough liquid, because that final half cup is what transforms this from a dry mixture into something actually creamy.
  • If your pot isn't oven-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish before the final 15 minutes in the oven, though cooking everything in one vessel from start to finish saves time and deepens the flavors.
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