Recipe: Turkey Helper

If you've never had Hamburger Helper boy, you are missing out: it's like, the ultimate comfort food that requires 5 ingredients or less and only takes about 15 minutes to make.  However, it's not very healthy!  So, I went on a quest to try and re-invent Hamburger Helper for my family and I think I've finally got it.  For a super quick, healthy, one-pot meal that your entire family (including your picky 3-year old!) will love, try my Turkey Helper!

Recipe: Turkey Helper
Note: This recipe will serve a family of four when served along side vegetables or a salad

Ingredients
0.625lb of ground turkey (about half a pack of Foster Farms or Jennie-O ground turkey)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt and a dash of pepper
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup 100% whole wheat elbow macaroni (or your favorite elbow pasta)
1 1/2 cup hot tap water
1/2 cup half & half (you can substitute any milk you have on hand, the half & half just makes it creamier and slightly thick)
1/3 cup ketch-up
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese

Directions
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes and then, add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spatula.  Season turkey with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper.  Once it begins to brown, add the garlic and continue to cook until nearly cooked through, a total of 10 minutes.

Add the water, milk, ketch-up, additional 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, and macaroni, stirring to combine.  Let it come to a boil then, cover, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer 10 minutes.  Remove the lid and stir half-way through.

Remove from heat, add the Velveeta and re-cover.  Let it sit off the heat so the cheese can melt 6-8 minutes.  Stir to distribute the cheese and serve!