Family-Friendly Ground Turkey Skillet with Cheesy Macaroni
This one-pan ground turkey skillet with cheesy macaroni is a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. It's packed with flavor, vegetables, and a creamy, satisfying texture.
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 - 2 lbs lean ground turkey
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 bell peppers (any color) diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or mix of oregano, basil, and thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup frozen peas optional
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook ground turkey, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through; drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and dried herbs, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in undrained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, stirring to combine.
- Add chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- If using, stir in frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optionally, sprinkle with cheddar cheese, cover for one minute to melt, then serve.
Notes
For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. You can also use other pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.