This lightened up one pot recipe is the perfect family-friendly comfort food. Made with lightened up ground turkey, diced tomatoes, and your family's favorite taco seasoning, this easy skillet dinner is always a huge hit.
PREP TIME 2 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 25 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 27 minutesminutes
YIELD 8servings
Ingredients
1lb.elbow noodles
1¼lbs.ground turkey
1/2cupreserved pasta boiling water
1onionchopped
1teaspoonminced garlic
4tablespoonstaco seasoning
1(10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes
4oz.(1/2 a brick) cream cheese
½cuplight sour cream
green onions for garnish
Instructions
Place a large pot of salted water over HIGH heat and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions using the 1 minute less than the lowest time on the box. This prevents the noodles from becoming overly mushy as they absorb the liquid from the sauce.
Two minutes before the pasta is finished cook, use a measuring cup to reserve 1/2 cup of the boiling liquid and set aside.
Meanwhile in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground turkey until it is no longer pink. Crumble it as it cooks with a spoon or meat chopper. Drain the fat off and return the skillet to the stovetop.
Turn the heat down a bit and add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and onions are just softened.
Add the taco seasoning, stir to combine and cook for 30 seconds.
Add the can of Rotel tomatoes with their juices and the reserved pasta water, scrape the pan to incorporate any seasonings stuck to the bottom.
Add the cream cheese and sour cream, stir to melt and combine with the turkey mixture.
Add the reserved noodles to the pan and toss to coat.
Garnish with chopped green onions or shredded cheese and serve immediately. The mixture will thicken as it sits as the pasta absorbs the sauce.
Recipe Notes
Reheating Tips:
The pasta will appear to dry out in the fridge overnight as it absorbs all the sauce. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water or chicken stock over the leftovers before heating in the microwave to help restore some moisture to the sauce. Stir before serving to combine.