Instant Pot Turkey Chili Mac: Quick and Easy Healthy Weeknight Dinner

I've been craving comfort food lately. Maybe it's the ongoing stress of the pandemic. Maybe it's the ever-so-slight hint in the air that fall temperatures might be here soon. Whatever the reason, I've been really thinking about all the favorite foods I loved as a kid.

Favorite foods like yummy chili on a crisp fall day. Or deliciously decadent mac and cheese. Or - the best of both worlds - creamy, yummy, stick to your ribs chili mac.

But, I'm not a kid any longer and my waistline and my cholesterol both go up way too quickly whenever I indulge in many of my childhood favorites.

That's why I love this lightened up, healthy version of chili mac. It's made in the Instant Pot, so there's only one pan to clean. The ground beef is replaced with ground turkey so the saturated fat is lower. And, it's so flavorful that I don't even miss the cheese and sour cream that usually goes on top (although I won't tell if you want to add some to yours!)

Add a side salad and some yummy cornbread and you've got a healthy dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes. That's comfort food at its very best.

Instant Pot Turkey Chili Mac Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey breast
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 can kidney beans, rinsed
• 1½ cups spaghetti sauce
• 12 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni

How to Make This Instant Pot Turkey Chili Mac

STEP ONE: Start by using the Saute function of the Instant Pot to brown the ground turkey and diced onions. Set the Instant Pot to Saute and toss in ground turkey and onion. Stir until browned (about 5-6 minutes).

STEP TWO: Add chili powder, salt, cumin, and garlic. Stir for 1 minute incorporate the spices.

STEP THREE: Pour in beef broth and scrape to deglaze bottom.

STEP FOUR: Turn off the Instant Pot and pour in  the beans, spaghetti sauce and elbow macaroni. Stir to make sure the macaroni is completely covered by the sauce.

STEP FIVE: Lock the Instant Pot lid and set the vent to sealing. Press Manual and cook for 2 minutes.

STEP SIX: When the timer beeps, release the vent slowly.

STEP SEVEN: When all the steam is released, remove the lid, stir, and serve. Enjoy your quick and healthy meal!