*Note: This turkey skillet mac and cheese first appeared on February 7, 2012 (originally titled “Grown Up Hamburger Helper Mac ‘n Cheese”). The recipe has been edited slightly and the pictures updated. I still stand by my stance on abandoning the sketchy ingredient list ridden Hamburger Helper box and making this easy, 30 minute one-pot meal instead. It’s every bit as tasty (if not more so!) and way better for you. Post now includes 4 other one-skillet/pot meals from some of my blogging friends too!
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This one-pot turkey skillet mac and cheese is like a grownup version of hamburger helper and a much healthier option than that boxed stuff. Filled with spinach, peppers, real cheddar cheese, on the table in just 30 minutes and easily made gluten-free too!
Remember Hamburger Helper and that weird white hand with the red clown nose who bounced around countertops (he totally freaked me out)?
This is what I’m calling the grownup version.
Granted, we never actually had that as kids (along with many other kid friendly/preservative filled foods we were deprived of) but this at least tastes like what I’d expect Hamburger Helper to except with the addition of peppers, spinach & lean turkey.
And minus probably 95% of the ingredients you see here.
(source)
That’s kind of sickening isn’t it? And what’s up with the imitation bacon bits, Betty? Go big or go home when it comes to the good stuff!
Before we get into this turkey skillet mac and cheese though, check out these other delicious and healthy one skillet meals!
Lexi from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen made a Loaded Veggie Taco Skillet
Lindsay from Cotter Crunch made a Mediterranean Marinated Balsamic Pork Loin Skillet
Taylor from Food Faith Fitness made a Mexican Sweet Potato Rice Bake
Brittany from Eating Bird Food made Zucchini Noodle Shrimp Lo Mein
Ok, back to the turkey skillet mac and cheese!
This is total, complete, utter, 100%, to the max (insert any other descriptor you can think of here) comfort food, that just happens to be pretty healthy too (kinda like this creamy Greek yogurt mac ‘n cheese with peas and bacon and this creamy white bean pasta).
It’s sit in front of the TV, put your sweats on (I do that a lot if you haven’t noticed), curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket kind of food.
This is food that will win you bonus points with your significant other (especially if they’re mac and cheese fanatics like mine) and definitely have them doing the dishes afterwards while you sit and relax.
In my infinite wisdom, I made this on a night Ulysses wasn’t home though, so I didn’t even get that luxury.
Poor planning on my part.
I usually get really annoyed by mac and cheese recipes out there that have me making a roux, using multiple pots, dirty whisks all over the place, starting on the stove top, moving to the oven…
It’s all just way too complicated for freakin mac and cheese, you know?
I want one pot, cornstarch exists for a reason and don’t make me decide which of my 5 different whisks I need to use.
Problem solved.
This turkey skillet mac and cheese fits all those requirements and still tastes like you spent hours in a dirty pot filled kitchen with flour and whisks strewn about.
Score.
Looking for some other turkey dishes that aren’t as decadent? Try this turkey sweet potato skillet or this buffalo turkey cauliflower skillet.
Love this Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese recipe?
Try Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese with Spinach, Super Creamy Spicy Sausage Mac and Cheese, and Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac ‘n Cheese with Peas and Bacon.

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
This one-pot turkey skillet mac and cheese is like a grownup version of hamburger helper and a much healthier option than that boxed stuff.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or tapioca/arrowroot powder)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper
- 2 cups milk, (1% or 2% regular milk - or use unsweetened nut milk)
- 1 cup water
- 8 ounces elbow pasta, (use whole wheat or gluten free pasta if desired)
- 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add turkey and cook until browned, breaking up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess liquid from the pot and return to the stove.
- Add the onions and cook with the turkey until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic to the pot and cook an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the peppers to the pot and cook another 3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add cornstarch and spices and stir until the meat mixture is thoroughly coated.
- Add the milk, water and pasta, bring to a boil then reduce to a medium simmer, cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring a couple of times while cooking.
- Uncover the pot, turn off the heat, add the spinach and cheese and stir until spinach is wilted and cheese is melted. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 574Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 442mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 46g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
Claire
Wednesday 7th of October 2020
I make a similar mac and cheese only I use sundried tomatoes and zucchini with peccorino cheese. Really great dish, quick and so yummy. Thanks for sharing yours. I can't wait to try it.
Running to the Kitchen
Wednesday 7th of October 2020
Your version sounds delicious! It's such an easy recipe to switch up with what you have on hand.:)
Edie
Monday 1st of October 2018
Just made this and it is great. I didn’t have the red bell pepper but everything else. Used extra sharp cheese. Love this dish !
Running to the Kitchen
Wednesday 3rd of October 2018
:)
Ashley
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Made this last night & it was DELISH. My very, very picky fiancé went back for seconds. The only thing we did differently was add extra red pepper flakes. Will make again!
Running to the Kitchen
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Yay! So glad to hear it!
Lexi
Wednesday 22nd of February 2017
This literally sounds SO amazing!!!!
Brittany
Friday 17th of February 2017
My mom used to make hamburger helper for us all the time. This looks so much better!!