Loaded Turkey Ham Cheeseburger Pasta: Skillet Comfort (Print Version)

Loaded Turkey Ham Cheeseburger Pasta brings all your favorite flavors to one pan. Hearty and cheesy, it's a weeknight win.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 lb ground turkey
03 - 4 oz turkey ham, diced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 12 oz small pasta shapes (like elbow macaroni or small shells)

→ Flavor Boosters

07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Dairy & Cheese

13 - 3 cups chicken broth, low sodium
14 - 1 cup milk (whole milk recommended)
15 - 4 slices American cheese
16 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Finishing Touches

17 - 1/2 cup pickle chips, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and diced turkey ham. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until no pink remains and it's nicely browned. Drain any excess grease, then push the meat to one side of the skillet.
02 - Add diced yellow onion to the empty side of the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Stir everything together with the browned meats.
03 - Pour in the chicken broth, milk, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's flavor gold! Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
04 - Add the dry pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Stir to ensure all pasta is submerged. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in the American cheese slices until completely melted and gooey. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it's also melted and the sauce is wonderfully creamy and thick.
06 - Stir in half of the chopped pickle chips and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with remaining pickle chips and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

# Notes:

01 - Don't rush browning the meat; those browned bits are essential for deep flavor.
02 - This pasta actually reheats pretty well; add a splash of milk or broth when warming up.
03 - Tried ground beef instead of turkey once, and it worked beautifully for a richer flavor.
04 - A sprinkle of crispy fried onions adds a nice crunch and extra burger vibe to this dish.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 550 Calories
Total Fat: 25g Fat
Total Carbohydrate: 45g Carbs
Protein: 35g Protein

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