Of course, the best way to enjoy a burger while watching your waistline is to switch to turkey burgers. The same holds true of casseroles as well! Skinny Cheeseburger Casserole replaces the ground beef with leaner but equally juicy and savory ground turkey, enhanced by zesty steak seasoning and immersed in a sauce that invokes the classic condiments of ketchup and mustard. A little pickle for sourness and of course melty cheese completes the cheeseburger feeling atop the tender, nutritious bed of whole-wheat pasta. Skinny Cheeseburger Casserole shows that a skinny diet doesn’t mean you lose out on the delicious!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni or penne pasta
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 6 slices reduced-fat cheddar
- diced tomatoes, to taste
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 3 –Add the pasta to the salted water and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta.
Step 4 –In a 12-inch, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
Step 5 –Add the onion and the garlic to the oil and sauté, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 6 –Add the turkey and the steak seasoning to the onion mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until the turkey is browned on the edges, about 4-5 minutes. It may not be cooked through yet, but it will finish in the oven.
Step 7 –Drain the skillet of fat.
Step 8 –Add the canned diced tomatoes, the tomato paste, the mustard, and the relish to the ground turkey mixture.
Step 9 –Reduce the heat to medium and stir until bubbling.
Step 10 –Transfer the sauce mixture from the heat and stir in the drained pasta.
Step 11 –Smooth the top of the casserole and cover with the cheese slices, cutting them as necessary to fit.
Step 12 –Bake until the cheese is melted, the mixture bubbles, and the turkey is cooked through, about 23-25 minutes.
Step 13 –Garnish with the diced tomatoes and sprinkle with the salt and the pepper.
Step 14 –Serve.
