Slow cookers are great when you're heading out for the day and want to come home to a comforting homemade meal. Sometimes, however, they're great when you just have stuff to do around the house and don't want to be fussing over a hot stove for an hour or so.
Enter the recipes that follow. They are an easy way to satisfy a ground turkey craving without having to worry about doing a lot of hands-on cooking.
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1. Ground turkey lasagna
Lasagna is a favorite meal of many. Although you may already know that you can use turkey instead of beef, as in the recipe that follows, did you know you can also make it in a slow cooker? All you have to do is brown the turkey first with a few seasonings and aromatics and let the slow cooker do the rest. This might just be the wave of the future for lasagna.
Lasagna is a favorite meal of many. Although you may already know that you can use turkey instead of beef, as in the recipe that follows, did you know you can also make it in a slow cooker? All you have to do is brown the turkey first with a few seasonings and aromatics and let the slow cooker do the rest. This might just be the wave of the future for lasagna.
2. Buffalo ranch turkey meatballs
Slow cooker buffalo ranch turkey meatballs offer all the flavor of hot buffalo wings without all the added fat or the need to deep fry. And they're also ideal when you're entertaining because these appetizers will stay warm while you're greeting guests at the door. In the recipe that follows, you get all that goodness as well as the cooling flavor of ranch dressing baked right in.
Slow cooker buffalo ranch turkey meatballs offer all the flavor of hot buffalo wings without all the added fat or the need to deep fry. And they're also ideal when you're entertaining because these appetizers will stay warm while you're greeting guests at the door. In the recipe that follows, you get all that goodness as well as the cooling flavor of ranch dressing baked right in.
3. Cheesy unstuffed shells made with ground turkey
This recipe does have a couple of additional steps, so why not just make it on the stovetop? Well, in addition to the cook being freed up to tend to garlic bread or salad instead, cheese does something wonderful in a slow cooker – especially the cream cheese this recipe uses. It melts slowly, which allows it to coat every single piece of pasta and really soak into the ground turkey, giving it a nutty, salty flavor that blends rather than stands out. Also, when you add the pasta and water at the end, it won't turn out rubbery like some other slow cooker pasta dishes tend to do.
This recipe does have a couple of additional steps, so why not just make it on the stovetop? Well, in addition to the cook being freed up to tend to garlic bread or salad instead, cheese does something wonderful in a slow cooker – especially the cream cheese this recipe uses. It melts slowly, which allows it to coat every single piece of pasta and really soak into the ground turkey, giving it a nutty, salty flavor that blends rather than stands out. Also, when you add the pasta and water at the end, it won't turn out rubbery like some other slow cooker pasta dishes tend to do.
4. Ground turkey chili
Many studies have shown white meat to be a healthier option than red meat, particularly because of the saturated fat in the latter. But even for those who don't have health concerns, swapping in ground turkey for the traditional ground beef that's used in chili can be a nice change. And as you can see in the recipe that follows, you can still keep all the flavorful seasonings that make a delicious bowl of chili something to celebrate.
Many studies have shown white meat to be a healthier option than red meat, particularly because of the saturated fat in the latter. But even for those who don't have health concerns, swapping in ground turkey for the traditional ground beef that's used in chili can be a nice change. And as you can see in the recipe that follows, you can still keep all the flavorful seasonings that make a delicious bowl of chili something to celebrate.
5. Ground turkey pitas
If you want to get your kids cooking in the kitchen with you, the recipe that follows may be the one you want to start with. It's easy, it's delicious, and it will have everyone coming back for seconds. Also, it doesn't use the stovetop, which is a relief when you're worried about little ones burning their fingers. If you want to make this by yourself, you'll still reap all of those benefits.
If you want to get your kids cooking in the kitchen with you, the recipe that follows may be the one you want to start with. It's easy, it's delicious, and it will have everyone coming back for seconds. Also, it doesn't use the stovetop, which is a relief when you're worried about little ones burning their fingers. If you want to make this by yourself, you'll still reap all of those benefits.
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