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Easy Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Pasta Skillet

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A quick and easy one-skillet meal combining ground turkey, taco seasoning, pasta, and melted cheddar cheese for a comforting and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 8 oz small pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend of cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted or plain)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Drain and rinse the black beans. Measure out taco seasoning, cheese, and broth.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it up, and cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Add chopped onion and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning garlic.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the turkey mixture and stir well to coat.
  5. Add dry pasta, diced tomatoes with juices, rinsed black beans, and chicken broth. Stir to combine, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the skillet. Cover and let cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional taco seasoning if needed. Add a splash of broth or water if too thick.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with optional fresh cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado slices.

Notes

Brown the turkey properly for richer flavor. Use fresh or homemade taco seasoning for best taste. Stir pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent sticking. Adjust liquid as needed depending on pasta shape. Cheese melts best if covered after adding.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey, taco pasta, cheesy skillet, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/easy-cheesy-ground-turkey-taco-pasta-skillet-recipe-for-quick-dinners/