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Cheesy Turkey Cheeseburger Casserole

cheesy turkey cheeseburger casserole - featured image

A quick and easy weeknight casserole combining the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with lean ground turkey, gooey cheese, and elbow macaroni for a comforting one-dish meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups (200g) uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup (120ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) butter
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped dill pickle slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly but not browned.
  6. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 1 ¾ cups (175g) shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  8. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked turkey mixture. Stir in ketchup, Dijon mustard, and optional chopped pickles.
  9. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheesy turkey sauce until fully coated.
  10. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup (25g) shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
  11. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  12. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If the casserole top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking. For a thicker sauce, reduce milk slightly or add more cheese. Browning the turkey well enhances flavor. Whisk milk slowly into roux to avoid lumps. Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving. Variations include adding vegetables, using different cheeses, or swapping turkey for ground beef.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy turkey casserole, cheeseburger casserole, weeknight dinner, ground turkey recipe, easy casserole, comfort food