Turkey Mac
Last Updated on June 4, 2024 by Annie
Turkey Mac is a hearty, one-pot dinner recipe loaded with flavor! Seasoned ground turkey, creamy tomato sauce, plus pasta and some veggies make this filling dinner a must-make recipe!
My love language is food. I express my love by making and giving food to people. There is nothing I love more than making a meal for someone else or taking a bag of cookies to share with others. So when my sister told me she was pregnant, I knew what I wanted to do for her and her husband more than anything else, make them food.
Now, we currently live in Connecticut and my sister and brother-in-law live in Baton Rouge. Since I wouldn’t be able to be there for the birth, I planned a stay for around a week later. Besides feedings, diaper changes, and putting mommy and baby down for naps; I spent a good amount of time cooking.
Enchiladas, breakfast burritos, lactation cookies, minestrone soup and this turkey mac were among the things I stocked their fridge and freezer with.
What I love about this recipe is that you don’t need to spend your whole cooking time checking on the food. You can step away to check and make sure everyone is napping comfortably without burning the food. Additionally, this hearty recipe keeps you full and cozy after finishing.
Why we LOVE this Dish
There are a number of reasons to love a one-pot meal such as:
- Quick to make. Ready in about 40 minutes, this quick and easy dinner is perfect for a busy weeknight.
- ONE POT RECIPE. Say hello to easy post dinner clean up!
- Loaded with flavor. With a zesty blend of spices, this turkey mac packs the flavor.
- Filling and versatile. Hearty and flavorful, this turkey mac also has room for simple swaps. Change out the pasta, use a different ground meat, increase or decrease some of the spices, it’s for you to make it your own.
How to Make Turkey Mac
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Turkey– You could also use ground beef or ground chicken in this recipe.
- Spice Blend– A mix of salt, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, paprika, and chili powder seasons this hearty meal.
- Onion, Bell Pepper, and Garlic– For some aromatic flavor!
- Pasta– Elbow, ditalini, or small shells work well in this recipe.
- Spaghetti sauce– For a tomato base that makes this dish simply irresistible.
- Water– To help cook the pasta.
- Creamy non-dairy milk– Full fat coconut milk or oat milk work perfectly to give this Turkey Mac a creamy finish.
Quick Steps for Turkey Mac
- Brown and season the meat: In a large pot, brown the ground turkey with salt, parsley, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, and 2 minced garlic pods.
- Add remaining ingredients: Next add bell pepper, onion, garlic, macaroni, spaghetti sauce, and water.
- Boil then simmer: Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
- Prepare for serving: Add coconut milk, stir, and garnish with green onion.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Here are a few kitchen tools you might find helpful as you make this filling turkey mac recipe!
- Ground Meat Chopper– This simple tool makes breaking and browning ground meat quick and easy.
- Large Pot– Perfect for making soups, stews, chilis, and more.
Dairy-Free Changes to Turkey Mac
There is one intentional dairy-free ingredient in this simple Turkey Mac Recipe, full fat coconut milk.
- Make soups, stews, and chili a bit creamier by adding full fat coconut milk at the end.
- If you do not like the flavor of coconut milk or have a coconut allergy you can substitute with a non-dairy heavy cream alternative like Country Crock’s Plant Cream.
Pro-Tips for Making Turkey Mac
- Chop the onion and bell pepper before you begin making the dish, so you can simply toss them into the pan when the ground turkey is ready.
- Allow the sauce to simmer until the pasta cooks to a desired tenderness.
- Garnish with green onion.
Serving and Storing Suggestions for Turkey Mac
If you are looking to turn this hearty bowl of turkey mac into a full meal, here are a few comforting sides that pair perfectly with it.
To store this turkey mac, allow to cool before keeping in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of ground meat can you use in Turkey Mac?
While I typically use ground turkey for this recipe, you can easily sub the turkey for ground beef, ground chicken, or even a ground meat alternative.
Why is the best pasta for this one-pot dish?
Any small pasta works great in this recipe. My favorite is ditalini but you can also use mini shells, elbow macaroni, alphabet pasta, anelli, cavatelli, orecchiette, or ruote.
More Quick Dinner Recipes!
Did you make this easy and filling Turkey Mac recipe? Let me know in the comments below how it went. You can also take a picture and share it with me on Instagram @mylifeafterdairy so I can share your life after dairy adventures!
Looking for more ways to get the dairy-free details? Check out my newsletter where I share reader favorites, seasonal classics, and helpful tips for going dairy-free!
Turkey Mac
Filling, hearty, and prepared in one pot, this easy turkey mac recipe is a quick dinner perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Turkey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- 2 Garlic Pods microplaned
- 2 Bell Peppers Diced
- 1 Onion Diced
- 2 Garlic Pods microplaned
- 8 ounces Dry Pasta (i.e. macaroni, ditalini, or shells) uncooked
- 28 ounces Spaghetti Sauce
- 2 cups Water
- ⅓ cup Coconut Milk or another thick, creamy non-dairy milk
- Green Onion to garnish
Instructions
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In a large pot, brown 1 pound ground turkey with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon chili powder.
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Next add 2 diced bell peppers, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic pods, 8 ounces macaroni, 28 ounces spaghetti sauce, and 2 cups water.
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Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
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Add ⅓ cup coconut milk (or another thick, creamy non-dairy milk), stir, and garnish with green onion.
Recipe Notes
*I used ditalini in this recipe.
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