Baked Ranch Turkey Chili Mac (Printable)

Hearty turkey and pasta skillet with beans, cheddar, and zesty ranch seasoning baked until golden and bubbly.

# What You'll 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 whole milk

→ Liquids

10 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
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 black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Add ground turkey to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and dry ranch dressing mix. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, black beans, uncooked macaroni, and chicken broth. Stir thoroughly, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
06 - Cover the pot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches tender texture and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Stir in milk and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly across the surface of the casserole.
09 - Transfer the uncovered pot to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with a lightly golden top.
10 - Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, so cleanup feels like a victory rather than a chore.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lighter than beef while ranch seasoning sneaks in flavor without extra work.
  • It bakes in the oven, which means you can step back and trust the process while the cheese gets beautifully melted on top.
02 -
  • Don't skip the browning step with the turkey; it creates a depth of flavor that seasoning packets alone can't achieve.
  • Adding pasta uncooked is the move because it absorbs all the liquid and flavor as it cooks, so you end up with seasoned pasta rather than plain noodles in sauce.
03 -
  • Use sharp cheddar rather than mild because it has more personality and doesn't disappear into the sauce.
  • Don't walk away during the stovetop cooking; paying attention means you catch the moment the spices bloom and the turkey browns perfectly, which builds the foundation for the entire dish.
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