Ground Turkey Recipes

Our family has recently made the switch from ground beef toground turkey. With ground beef more than $2 a pound, we hadbasically quit eating hamburger for quite some time. On a recenttrip to the grocery store I noticed that ground turkey was HALFthe price of ground beef, about $1 a pound. I decided to give ita try, and our family loved the ground turkey. Honestly, youcan't even tell the difference in taste, and it is very low fat. There is almost no fat to remove from your pan. Here are somerecipes our family adapted to our tastes:

Turkey Chili

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 lb. ground turkey
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1-2 tbsp. chili powder
1 28-oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 15-oz. can of black beans, drained
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 can corn (optional)

In a large soup pan, cook onion, pepper, celery, and turkey inoil until turkey is cooked through. Add garlic and cook 1minute. Add tomatoes, beans, and oregano, and stir well. Bringto a boil, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 20minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and simmer for 10 moreminutes. Serves 6.

Turkey Lasagna

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 lb. ground turkey
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
1 (14 1/2-oz.) can tomatoes, chopped, reserve liquid
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
2 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
8 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 (12-oz.) carton cottage or Ricotta cheese
3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

In a large skillet, cook onion, garlic, and turkey in oil untilturkey is cooked through. Add tomatoes with liquid, tomatopaste, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, reduce heat andsimmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook lasagna noodles according to directions on package.

Lightly grease 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Spoon 1/3 sauce in thebottom of the baking dish. Top with 4 lasagna noodles. Spooncottage or Ricotta cheese over noodles. Sprinkle 2 cupsmozzarella cheese on top of cottage cheese. Spoon 1/3 sauce overcheese, top with remaining noodles, and then spoon remainingsauce over noodles. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bakeat 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Serves 8.

Turkey Burgers

1 lb. fresh ground turkey
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup onion finely chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 lemon, juice of
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. soy sauce

Combine turkey, bread crumbs, and onion in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, stir together remaining ingredients. Usinghands, work sauce into turkey mixture. Form into 6 patties andfry or grill. Serves 6.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author ofWhat's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quickeasy dinner ideas. For more recipes, organizing tips, homedecorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit CreativeHomemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com