Baked Ranch Turkey Chili Mac (Printable)

Hearty one-pot casserole combining zesty ranch seasoning with ground turkey, tender macaroni, beans and melted cheddar cheese for a satisfying family dinner.

# What you need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 pound ground turkey
02 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 ounces) 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 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
11 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

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

# How to make it:

01 - Set oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 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 seasoning 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 a simmer.
06 - Cover pot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches tender consistency and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Stir in milk and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the surface of the casserole.
09 - Transfer uncovered pot to preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with a lightly golden top.
10 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before portioning and serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • One pot means less cleanup and more time with the people you're feeding.
  • The ranch seasoning gives it personality without requiring a pantry full of spices.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lighter than beef versions, but it's still deeply satisfying.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing step for canned beans, or you'll end up with a starchy, cloudy sauce instead of a clean, flavorful one.
  • The pasta continues cooking in the oven after you've moved the pot, so don't let it get completely tender on the stovetop or you'll end up with mush.
03 -
  • Use an oven-safe Dutch oven or heavy pot so the heat distributes evenly and the bottom doesn't burn while the top bakes.
  • Sharp cheddar melts more smoothly than mild, and tastes like you put more effort in than you actually did.
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