Heart-Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper
Enjoy a wholesome twist on a classic comfort food with our **Heart-Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper**. This simple one-pot meal swaps out traditional ingredients for lean ground turkey, whole wheat elbow macaroni, and unsalted low-fat cheddar cheese, creating a nutritious yet indulgent dish. Packed with fresh vegetables like spinach, onion, and bell pepper, and flavored with garlic, dijon mustard, and oregano, every bite is bursting with flavor while staying light on sodium. Ready in under 45 minutes, this healthier version of the iconic dish is perfect for busy weeknights, offering all the satisfying creaminess and heartiness you crave without the guilt. Serve it warm and enjoy a meal that’s comforting, nutritious, and family-approved!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 8 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 15 ounces low-sodium tomato sauce
- 1 cup unsalted low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and diced bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Drain any excess fat from the skillet and return it to the heat.
Stir in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, ensuring everything is well combined.
Add the whole wheat elbow macaroni, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid.
Stir in the dijon mustard, dried oregano, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
Finally, stir in the chopped spinach and let it wilt in the hot mixture, about 2 minutes.
Serve the Heart-Healthy Hamburger Helper hot, garnished with a sprinkle of additional cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2285 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.7 g | 87% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.1 g | 86% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 364 mg | 121% | |
| Sodium | 997 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 253.4 g | 92% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.6 g | 116% | |
| Total Sugars | 52.4 g | ||
| Protein | 198.3 g | 397% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 1188 mg | 91% | |
| Iron | 23.1 mg | 128% | |
| Potassium | 4246 mg | 90% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
