Okay folks, don’t know if you already know this but I don’t really cook often enough and when I say really, that’s basically a nice way of saying, almost never. You know what this means, right? If I can do it, so can YOU. And for those who do cook on a regular, this recipe is just as fitting for you as for those who don’t because this meal can be easily tailored to your liking.
With Hamburger Helper’s® premade Sauce Mix and perfectly portioned pasta, it’s easy to decide what add-ons or changes you’d want to make for a quick and easy dinner. Don’t forget June is National Hamburger Month and I cannot wait to see what creative twists you can make using any of Hamburger Helper® flavors!
Unlike the Hamburger Helper® Sloppy Joe made with beef, I chose to substitute for ground turkey. I also added one of my favorite meats, kielbasa. Turkey tends to have less of a “meaty” flavor than beef which is why kielbasa was added. Its juicy spiced flavors offer much added flavor to this dish, I highly recommend not skipping out on this one.
Next on the list, beans. So get this… I don’t eat chili or beans often enough to know this so when I arrived in the Latin grocery isle confident with my list in hand of “Things To Buy,” I nearly froze! The isle had canned beans from floor to ceiling and I stood there with my jaw to the floor dumbfounded because I didn’t know whether to get the red, black, white beans, purple beans (<– just kidding). There were so many! Thank goodness a floor associate directed me to right bean most common in chili which is the pinto “painted” bean. Phew! Got that out of the way- after I turned my back and did a quick Google search just to be sure.
He was right.
The rest of the ingredients such as corn, red and green peppers and tomatoes are added to give more of a hearty flavor to the chili but are also a great way to add more color and texture as well. And if you’re a daredevil, add a few slices of serrano peppers during the cooking process or have a few on the top when served.
BUT…
If there is one ingredient to not forget that ties in this delicious Hamburger Helper® meal beautifully, is the cheese. I stumbled upon this amazing Red Leicester cheese that is very similar to cheddar cheese which gives this meal that vibrant orange hue. I only wish I took an action shot of me pulling a forkful of chili out of the dish just to show you the stringiness that came from the melty cheese. It was HEAVEN! Lastly, to top it all off, serve with a lime wedge to give this chili a burst of citrus zing.
So there you have it, my first chili and everyone loved it! Now it’s time to make your own.
Don’t forget the next time you’re looking to get one of Hamburger Helper® varieties to create this recipe or one of your own, use this COUPON CODE!
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Turkey Chili Mac and Cheese
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 kielbasa link, sliced
- 1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 (4.3 oz.) box Hamburger Helper® Chili Cheese (includes Pasta and Sauce Mix)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup (7.5 oz) pinto beans
- 2/3 cups water, hot
- 1/3 cup green pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup red pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn
- 1/2 cup tomato, chopped
- 3–4 limes
- 1–2 cups red Leicester or cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1–2 small serrano peppers, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet set over medium heat, cook kielbasa until browned on one side, about 5 to 7 minutes. Flip slices to brown other side, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and lay slices over a paper towel lined plate to drain excess fat; set aside.
- In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook turkey until browned, about 7 to 10 minutes; do not drain liquid.
- Stir in pasta, sauce mix, milk, beans, water, red and green peppers, corn and tomato. Bring to a boil for one minute. Reduce heat and cover. Allow chili to simmer until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes, stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat. Stir in kielbasa and juice from 1 or 2 freshly squeezed limes.
- Serve warm with a lime wedge, sprinkled cheese and serrano peppers. ENJOY!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hamburger Helper® . The opinions and text are all mine. Thank you for your support in the brands I use and trust to help me bring to you, new recipes.