Description
This healthy hamburger helper recipe uses lean ground turkey, a medley of spices, and a creamy tomato-based sauce to create a comforting and nutritious one-pot meal. It’s a quick and easy stovetop dish that boasts tender pasta enveloped in a flavorful, cheesy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Spices and Sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk of choice (whole milk, 2%, or unsweetened almond or cashew milk)
- 8 ounces tomato sauce (1 cup)
Pasta and Cheese
- 16 ounces (1 pound) pipe rigate pasta or shell-shaped pasta
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (Cabot recommended)
Garnish
- Freshly chopped parsley
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the aromatics and turkey: Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add diced onion, minced garlic, ground turkey, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until the turkey is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and dried oregano, cooking for 1 minute until the tomato paste deepens in color to enhance the flavor.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, milk, and tomato sauce to the pot, stirring well to combine. Stir in the pasta and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed but still slightly creamy, about 10 to 12 minutes depending on your pasta shape.
- Finish and serve: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Notes
- To boost nutrition, consider adding shredded zucchini, sautéed chopped red bell pepper, mushrooms, or a few cups of chopped spinach. The vegetables blend in seamlessly for a hidden veggie boost loved by kids.
- For extra heat, add red pepper flakes directly into the meat mixture or sprinkle on top before serving.
- Pipe rigate, shells, or large elbow noodles work best to hold onto the creamy sauce, but feel free to use your preferred pasta shape.
- Stir frequently while cooking the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
