Baked Ranch Turkey Chili Mac (Printable)

Hearty ground turkey and pasta casserole with creamy ranch, beans and melted cheddar cheese.

# What You’ll Use:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 oz) 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 milk

→ Liquids

10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
11 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tsp ground cumin
16 - 1 tsp chili powder
17 - 1/2 tsp paprika
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C)
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more
03 - Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes
04 - Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and dry ranch mix. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, black beans, uncooked macaroni, and chicken broth. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer
06 - Cover pot and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just tender and most liquid is absorbed
07 - Stir in milk and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole
09 - Transfer uncovered pot to preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with a lightly golden top
10 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a complete meal that lives in one pot, which means fewer dishes to face after dinner.
  • The ranch flavor sneaks in so naturally that even people who think they don't like obvious seasonings end up obsessed.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lighter than beef versions, but the beans and cheese make it feel genuinely hearty.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing of the canned beans because that starchy liquid will turn your casserole into something more soup-like than you want.
  • The uncooked pasta is intentional; it absorbs the broth and becomes perfectly tender rather than mushy if you cooked it separately first.
03 -
  • Use sharp cheddar instead of mild because the ranch seasoning needs something bold enough to stand up beside it.
  • Don't stir the casserole constantly in the oven; let the pasta settle and cook undisturbed so it achieves the right texture.
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