Best Cheeses To Pair With Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is a versatile meat that pairs well with many types of cheese. Some popular choices include cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, gouda, smoked gouda, Monterey jack, and fontina. When combined with ground turkey in dishes such as pasta, mac and cheese, or burgers, these cheeses add a savoury and creamy texture, enhancing the flavour of the dish.

Mozzarella and cheddar cheese

Mac and Cheese with Ground Turkey

A hearty and comforting dish, mac and cheese with ground turkey is a perfect choice for a cozy night in. The sharpness of cheddar and the creamy texture of mozzarella create a delightful cheese sauce. Here's a simple recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• Macaroni or your favourite pasta shape
• Ground turkey
• Onion, finely diced
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Whole wheat flour
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Parsley (optional)

Instructions:

• Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• In a cast-iron skillet or heavy pot, brown the ground turkey over medium heat. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
• Stir in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Pour in the milk, add seasonings, and bring to a simmer.
• Stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted.
• Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and fold in the cooked ground turkey.
• Serve with a sprinkle of parsley on top (optional).

Tips:

• You can use any type of pasta you like, such as macaroni, penne, or even spiral noodles.
• If you prefer a vegetarian option, simply omit the ground turkey.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Parmesan, Gruyere, smoked Gouda, or Monterey Jack.

Cheesy Ground Turkey Pasta

Another one-pot meal idea is a cheesy ground turkey pasta. This dish combines ground turkey with a creamy tomato broth and is topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Here's a recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Yellow pepper, diced
• Ground lean turkey
• Garlic, minced
• Sea salt and black pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Dried parsley
• Chicken broth
• Crushed tomatoes
• Half-and-half cream
• Mozzarella cheese
• Cheddar cheese

Instructions:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced yellow pepper and cook until softened.
• Add the ground turkey and garlic, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon.
• Once the turkey is mostly cooked, add the Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute.
• Add the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, water, sugar, and remaining salt.
• Add the pasta of your choice and cook uncovered until al dente, stirring frequently.
• Reduce the heat and add the half-and-half cream.
• Slowly add the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses a handful at a time until melted.
• Cover the pasta and let the cheese melt completely, allowing the pasta to absorb the liquid.

Tips:

• You can serve this dish as-is or pair it with garlic bread or a salad for a complete meal.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gouda or smoked cheese.
• To make it even healthier, add more vegetables like bell peppers or baby spinach.

Ground Turkey Quesadillas

For a fun and easy meal, try making ground turkey quesadillas. You can use mozzarella and cheddar cheese as your melting cheese, creating a delicious and gooey filling. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Onion, minced
• Ground turkey
• Bell pepper, diced
• Black beans, rinsed and drained
• Canned corn kernels, drained
• Taco seasoning
• Ground chipotle chili pepper
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth
• Flour tortillas
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Vegetable oil or olive oil for greasing the pan

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
• Add the ground turkey and break it into smaller pieces.
• Mix in the bell pepper, black beans, corn kernels, taco seasoning, and chipotle chili pepper. Cook until the turkey is fully cooked.
• Stir in the tomato paste and chicken broth, and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Spread half of the cheddar cheese on one half of each tortilla.
• Top the cheese with the cooked ground turkey mixture, and then sprinkle on more cheddar cheese.
• Fold the tortillas in half, creating a half-moon shape.
• Grease a frying pan with vegetable oil or olive oil and cook the quesadillas in batches over medium-low heat until golden brown and crispy.
• Cut the quesadillas into halves or triangles and serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream on the side.

Tips:

• You can use a combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for a delicious melt.
• Feel free to add other types of cheese, such as fontina, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack.
• You can also add crumbled feta cheese for a salty kick.
• If you prefer corn tortillas over flour tortillas, go for it!

With these ideas and recipes, you can create delicious meals combining ground turkey with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheeses and add your own twist to these dishes!

Mac and cheese

This is a great comfort food and a perfect meal to whip up on a cozy Sunday afternoon. It is also a good option for a weeknight dinner as it is easy to make and healthy.

Ingredients:

• Macaroni (or your favourite noodle)
• Ground turkey
• Medium onion
• Garlic cloves
• Whole wheat flour
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Cookware:

You will need a large pot for boiling the pasta and a cast-iron skillet or heavy pot for browning the meat and preparing the sauce.

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta.
• In a cast-iron skillet or heavy pot, brown the ground turkey over medium heat. Transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add butter, onion, and garlic. Sauté until the onions are softened, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
• Pour in the milk, stirring, and bring to a simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Stir in the cheese until melted.
• Combine the pasta with the cheese sauce. Fold in the ground turkey and serve.

Tips:

• You can substitute the ground turkey with ground beef, ground chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced taylor ham.
• For the cheese, you can use parmesan, gruyere, brie, smoked gouda, Monterey jack, or fontina instead of, or in addition to, the cheddar and mozzarella.
• You can also experiment with different types of pasta, such as whole wheat, regular, or chickpea pasta.

Storing and Reheating:

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through. You can also place the dish in an oven-safe container and reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions:

This mac and cheese can be served as a main dish or a side. If serving as a side, it goes well with meatloaf, BBQ pulled chicken or pork, applesauce, sloppy joes, or cornbread.

One-pot recipes

One-Pot Ground Turkey Pasta

This is a super easy, tasty, and healthy meal that can be prepared in just one pot! It is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made with simple ingredients that you may already have on hand. The recipe is also versatile and can be customised according to your preferences.

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Pasta (medium-sized shapes like shells, penne, bowtie, or rotini are good choices)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chicken broth
• Milk
• Spices (paprika, garlic powder, dried basil, oregano, black pepper, etc.)
• Cheese (sharp Cheddar, Parmesan, or a mix of both)
• Cornstarch
• Vegetables of your choice (optional)

Instructions:

• Brown the ground turkey, onion, and garlic in a pan over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
• Stir in chicken broth, milk, and desired spices. Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Add the pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the pasta is tender, usually around 9-12 minutes.
• To thicken the sauce, make a slurry by combining equal parts cornstarch and water until smooth, then add it to the sauce.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted and well combined.
• Serve immediately or let it cool and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

One-Pot Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet

This is a delicious and hearty meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. It is loaded with veggies, ground turkey, and melted cheese, making it a healthy and satisfying option for the whole family.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Diced onion
• Bell peppers (green or red)
• Ground turkey or turkey burgers
• Taco seasoning
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Fire-roasted tomatoes
• Black beans
• Corn
• Green chilies
• Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a cheese of your choice)
• Green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the diced onion and bell peppers, sautéing until they soften, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Cook the ground turkey or turkey burgers in the skillet according to package directions. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
• Add the taco seasoning, hot sauce (if using), water, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, corn, and green chilies to the pan.
• Stir in the cooked veggies and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the skillet and cover until the cheese has melted. Alternatively, you can place the skillet under the broiler to melt the cheese.
• Garnish with chopped green onions and serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or tortilla chips.

How to make it creamy

To make a creamy dish with ground turkey and cheese, you can follow a few simple steps and adapt the ingredients to your liking. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a creamy dish, you will need ground turkey, cheese, and other ingredients to make a sauce. The specific ingredients can vary, but here is a list of common ones:

• Ground turkey
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, gouda, etc.)
• Pasta (penne, macaroni, shells, rotini, etc.)
• Milk or half-and-half
• Butter or olive oil
• Flour
• Spices and seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic, etc.)
• Vegetables (onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, etc.)

Cooking the Meat and Vegetables

Start by cooking the ground turkey in a skillet or pot. You can add some olive oil or butter to the pan first to prevent sticking. Break up the turkey into crumbles as it cooks. If using ground beef or pork, drain any excess drippings after cooking.

Next, add your choice of vegetables. Cook them until softened, and then add your desired spices and seasonings. You can also add garlic and cook for a further minute to enhance the flavour.

Making the Sauce

To make the sauce creamy, add flour to the skillet and stir it in. This will help to thicken the sauce. You can also add a slurry made of cornstarch and water to further thicken it if needed.

Pour in milk or half-and-half, along with some chicken broth if desired. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. You can also add crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce for extra flavour.

Adding the Cheese

Once the sauce is simmering, it's time to add the cheese. Stir in your choice of shredded or grated cheese until it melts into the sauce. You can use cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, gouda, or a combination of cheeses. Adding the cheese off the heat can help prevent it from becoming gritty or separating.

Combining with Pasta

If you are using pasta, cook it separately until al dente. Then, add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. You can also add the pasta to the sauce before adding the cheese and let it finish cooking in the sauce.

Final Steps

Finally, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve. You can also cover the dish and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld and the sauce to thicken further.

Tips for a Creamy Dish

• Use a combination of cheeses for a bolder flavour.
• Freshly grate your cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese for better melting.
• Choose a medium or small pasta shape with crevices that can hold the sauce.
• Don't overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
• Add more vegetables or spices to suit your taste.
• You can also bake the final dish in the oven for a bubbly, melted cheese topping.

Storing and reheating

Storing Cooked Ground Turkey and Cheese

If you have cooked a dish containing ground turkey and cheese, it is important to store it properly to maintain its quality and safety. Here are some tips for storing such dishes:

• Allow the dish to cool to room temperature before storing it.
• Place the dish in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap.
• Store the dish in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.
• If you want to store the dish for a longer period, freeze it in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It will maintain its best quality for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating Cooked Ground Turkey and Cheese

When reheating a dish containing ground turkey and cheese, follow these steps:

• Thaw frozen dishes in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the dish in an oven-safe container and cover it with aluminium foil.
• Reheat the dish for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it is heated through.
• Remove the foil and continue heating for an additional 5 minutes to crisp up the top.
• If the dish seems dry, add a small amount of liquid such as broth or water before reheating.

The storage and reheating instructions may vary slightly depending on the type of cheese used in your dish:

• Cheddar Cheese – Store leftover cheddar cheese in an airtight container or wrap it in wax paper or aluminium foil. It can be refrigerated for up to 6 weeks or frozen for up to 8 months. When reheating, place the cheese in a microwave-safe dish and heat it in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until melted.
• Mozzarella Cheese – Fresh mozzarella should be stored in its original packaging and used within a few days. It can also be refrigerated in brine for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cheese after wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminium foil. When reheating, place the cheese in a microwave-safe dish and heat in short intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.
• Gouda Cheese – Store gouda cheese in an airtight container or wrap it in wax paper or aluminium foil. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 weeks or frozen for up to 6 months. To reheat, place the cheese in a microwave-safe dish and heat in short intervals until melted, stirring occasionally.

Remember to always use separate utensils and containers for raw and cooked ground turkey to avoid cross-contamination. Additionally, ensure that your dishes are cooled to room temperature before storing them in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth.

Frequently asked questions