Baked Ranch Turkey Chili Mac (Printable)

Creamy turkey and pasta casserole with ranch seasoning, beans, and melted cheddar cheese.

# What you need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Vegetables & Beans

02 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice

→ Pasta

07 - 8 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked

→ Dairy

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

→ Liquids

10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
12 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

17 - Chopped fresh cilantro or green onion, optional
18 - Sour cream, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
05 - Add kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes with juice, uncooked macaroni, ranch seasoning mix, chicken broth, and milk. Stir thoroughly.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just tender.
07 - Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese until melted.
08 - Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly on top.
09 - Transfer the pot to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
10 - Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro or green onion and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more time enjoying dinner instead of washing them.
  • The flavor combination sneaks up on you—chili and ranch shouldn't work together, but they absolutely do.
  • It tastes even better the next day, making it a genius solution for meal prepping or feeding unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing of the canned beans—it cuts the metallic taste and makes the dish taste fresher and cleaner.
  • If your pasta seems too wet after it comes out of the oven, that's fine; it will continue absorbing liquid as it cools, and leftovers will be perfectly textured.
03 -
  • Use an oven-safe Dutch oven so you can brown the meat and bake everything in the same vessel—it keeps cleanup minimal and the flavors stay where they belong.
  • Don't skip the five-minute rest after baking; it lets the cheese set slightly and makes the casserole hold together better when you serve it.
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