A high-protein, lighter take on classic hamburger helper made with lean ground turkey and a creamy, flavorful sauce. It’s a quick, comforting one-pot meal that feels indulgent while staying balanced.
Ingrdients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 12 ounces of protein pasta of choice
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion, garlic, ground turkey, salt, and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute, until the tomato paste deepens in color and the flavors bloom.
- Add the chicken broth, milk, and tomato sauce to the pot, stirring until well combined.
- Stir in the pasta and bring to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes depending on the pasta shape. Leave a little liquid in the pot so the sauce stays creamy.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sharp cheddar cheese. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes on top, if desired.
Note
Serves 4 to 6