Description
This Lipsmacking Jambalaya is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring ground turkey, creamy four cheese Rice-A-Roni, sautéed bacon, and a mix of savory spices. With its rich texture from cream-style corn and hearty protein, it brings a comforting twist to traditional jambalaya in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Proteins
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 4 strips bacon (sautéed, drained and diced)
Rice & Grains
- 1 box creamy four cheese Rice-A-Roni
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 1 can cream-style corn
- 3 garlic cloves (pressed)
Seasonings & Oils
- 1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the creamy four cheese Rice-A-Roni according to the package instructions and set aside once cooked.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil and the ground turkey. Season with 1/2 teaspoon Mrs. Dash seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sauté the turkey, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully cooked and browned.
- Sauté Onions: Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Add Garlic: Incorporate the pressed garlic cloves and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Prepare Bacon: In a separate pan or skillet, sauté the bacon strips until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels to remove excess fat, then chop into small pieces.
- Add Corn: Add the cream-style corn to the skillet with the turkey mixture. Since cream-style corn can be difficult to drain completely, drain as best as possible before adding.
- Cook Corn Mixture: Cook the mixture for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors and heat through.
- Combine Rice-A-Roni: Stir the cooked creamy Rice-A-Roni into the skillet with the turkey, bacon, and vegetable mixture. If the mixture seems dry, add a few tablespoons of hot water and stir to reach desired consistency.
Notes
- Using ground turkey makes this jambalaya a leaner option compared to traditional sausage and seafood versions.
- Mrs. Dash seasoning is salt-free, so adjust salt levels to taste if preferred.
- You can substitute cream-style corn with regular sweet corn if cream-style is unavailable.
- Adding hot water when mixing in rice helps maintain a creamy consistency.
- For a spicier version, consider adding Cajun seasoning or a dash of hot sauce.
