Baked Ranch Turkey Chili Mac (Printable)

Zesty ground turkey and pasta bake with ranch seasoning, beans, and melted cheddar.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 whole milk

→ Liquids

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

→ Seasonings & Condiments

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

# Method:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely a one-pot wonder that comes together faster than you'd expect, leaving your kitchen less of a disaster zone.
  • The combination of ranch seasoning with chili spices creates this unique flavor that tastes nothing like a recipe card and everything like something you'd crave on a random Tuesday.
  • Ground turkey keeps it lighter than traditional versions, but the cheese and beans make it feel absolutely indulgent.
02 -
  • Don't skip the simmering step on the stovetop before baking; undercooked pasta in a casserole is genuinely the worst mistake, and I learned this the expensive way.
  • The difference between melted cheese and bubbly, golden cheese is about 3 to 4 minutes—don't walk away from the oven during that final bake or you'll miss the perfect moment.
  • Taste as you go with the seasonings; ranch seasoning packets vary by brand and some are saltier than others, so trust your palate over the recipe.
03 -
  • Use an oven-safe Dutch oven specifically; it conducts heat beautifully and goes from stovetop to oven seamlessly without any fuss.
  • Don't stir the casserole once you've topped it with cheese and put it in the oven; let that cheese set undisturbed so it gets bubbly and golden instead of stirred back into the sauce.
Return