About this recipe

Google defines comfort food like this: “Food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being, typically any with a high sugar or other carbohydrate content and associated with childhood or home cooking.”

Wikipedia’s definition is similar but even more detailed: “kinds of food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value to someone, and may be characterized by its high caloric nature, high carbohydrate level, or simple preparation. The nostalgia may be specific to an individual, or it may apply to a specific culture.”

I don’t know about you, but any kind of one-pan dish covered in cheese is definitely something that comes to mind when I think of comfort food. What I like even better is that there are ways to get that comfort food vibe without the “high caloric nature” that Wikipedia defines, and that’s exactly what this dish is.

This skillet meal is all about family friendly, warm, hearty, delicious, comforting AND healthy. It’s done in 30 minutes or less and it has been known to satisfy even the pickiest of children. Not that we would know anything about that around here 🙂

What if I don’t like ground turkey?

If you don’t like ground turkey, feel free to use whatever ground meat that you prefer here. If you use something that puts a lot of grease into the pan while it’s cooking, just make sure to drain it before you continue with the other steps.

What if I don’t have taco seasoning?

If you don’t have taco seasoning, I have a recipe here to make your own!

I don’t have time to chop onion and garlic, but I want to make this recipe!

Short on time? Just use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon onion powder. I promise I won’t tell 🙂

Want more taco-related recipes?

Gluten Free Turkey Taco Mac Skillet

Author: Liz Willis

Print Recipe

Description

A warm and hearty weeknight meal all made in one pot for minimal effort and maximum comfort

Ingredients

Units Scale

3 cups brown rice pasta shells (or brown rice elbows)
1 lb lean ground turkey (93/7) (or sub lean ground beef)
1 small yellow onion, diced
2–3 cloves of garlic, minced (or sub 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 packet of gluten free taco seasoning (McCormick brand or Thrive Market are gluten free) or 2 tablespoons of my homemade taco seasoning
1 cup enchilada sauce
1/2 cup your favorite red salsa
2 cups low sodium broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
1 – 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes with juices
Optional: 1 – 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
Optional: 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar or monterey jack cheese (regular or dairy free)

Optional Toppings and Serving suggestions: Avocado, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Salsa, Tortilla Chips

Instructions

In a large, high sided skillet or saucepan, brown 1 lb ground turkey. Break up the meat and cook until no pink remains.
Add to the ground turkey, 1 small diced yellow onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder) and sauté for one minute.
Add 1 packet of taco seasoning (do not add water called for on the packet), 1 cup enchilada sauce, 1 cup water or reduced sodium broth, 1/2 cup salsa, 1 can of petite diced tomatoes (undrained), and 1 can drained and rinsed beans, if using, and 2 cups brown rice pasta shells. Stir to combine.
Bring to a simmer over low-medium heat. Put the lid on and simmer for 10 minutes (or however long the package of pasta indicates the cook time for your shape of pasta to be). Stir halfway through so that the bottom doesn’t stick. Add more time if necessary for the pasta to cook JUST until al dente.
After the pasta has finished cooking, the dish is finished. Taste for salt.
Optional: With the heat off: top with 3/4 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese or vegan cheddar cheese (more if desired) and place lid back on the skillet until cheese is melted. Serve and top with desired toppings.

Notes

Enchilada sauce and Taco Seasoning: Depending on the brand of enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, your mixture may be more or less runny and more or less salty. It’s important to taste for salt at the end to make sure your preferences are met.

To make this recipe dairy free: use your favorite dairy free cheese

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