Hearty Turkey Ham Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet (Print Version)
Make Loaded Turkey Ham Cheeseburger Pasta! A comforting, easy weeknight meal with ground turkey, savory ham, and cheesy pasta. Pure comfort food.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 tbsp olive oil
02 -
1 lb lean ground turkey
03 -
1 cup diced ham (about 4 oz, thick-cut deli ham works great)
04 -
1 large onion, diced
05 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (or similar small pasta)
07 -
4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
08 -
1 cup whole milk
→ Flavor Boosters & Seasonings
09 -
1/4 cup ketchup
10 -
2 tbsp yellow mustard
11 -
1 tsp smoked paprika
12 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cheesy Goodness
14 -
4 oz cream cheese, softened
15 -
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated is best!)
→ Garnish & Serving
16 -
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
17 -
Extra shredded cheddar (optional, for topping)
# Instructions:
01 -
Grab your biggest skillet, hon. Heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Toss in that ground turkey and break it up with a spoon. Cook it until it's nicely browned all over, about 5-7 minutes. You want to see some good color here, that's where the flavor lives! Drain off any excess fat—I usually just tilt the pan and scoop it out with a spoon. This is where I always forget to season it during browning, so don't be like me; a pinch of salt and pepper now makes a difference.
02 -
Once the turkey is browned and drained, slide it to one side of the pan. Add the diced onion and cook until it softens and gets a little translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then, toss in that minced garlic and diced ham. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the ham starts to get a little crispy. Be careful not to burn the garlic, it happens so fast, and burnt garlic is just sad!
03 -
Now for the good stuff! Stir the cooked turkey, onions, garlic, and ham all together. Pour in the beef broth, milk, ketchup, and mustard. Add your smoked paprika, garlic powder, a good pinch of salt, and a generous crack of black pepper. Give it all a good stir to combine everything. It should smell like a burger joint, honestly! Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.
04 -
Carefully add the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce. Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged. If it looks a little dry, you can add another splash of milk or broth. Bring it back to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. This is where I used to peek too much and let all the steam out, making the pasta take ages to cook!
05 -
Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, it's time for the cheese! Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in the cream cheese until it's completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Then, gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it's all melted and beautifully incorporated. Don't add it all at once, or it can clump up; a little at a time works best for that silky texture.
06 -
Give your Loaded Turkey Ham Cheeseburger Pasta one final stir. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed – maybe a little more salt or a dash of hot sauce if you're feeling feisty! The sauce should be thick, creamy, and clinging to every piece of pasta. Ladle it into bowls, maybe with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or some extra shredded cheddar on top. It's truly a sight to behold, smelling savory and utterly delicious. Dig in while it's warm and gooey!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't skimp on the cheese, honestly, it makes all the difference.
02 -
Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
03 -
If you don't have ground turkey, ground chicken or even lean ground beef works, I've tried it!
04 -
A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end really brightens up this hearty dish.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large Skillet
02 -
Large Pot (for pasta if not one-pot)
03 -
Wooden Spoon
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 650 kcal
Total Fat: 35 g
Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
Protein: 40 g