Healthy Ground Turkey Meatloaf

Here’s a healthier twist to the traditional meatloaf recipe.  I  swapped ground beef for  ground turkey to lower calories and fat.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 egg
• cracker crumbs (7 saltine whole wheat crackers)
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1-2  tsp basil and oregano
• 1-2 dashes  black pepper
• 1 cup (8 oz) tomato sauce

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, egg, cracker crumbs, and spices until well blended and shape into 2 loaves.  Place in baking dish and pour tomato sauce over loaves.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition Info:

146 Calories; 7 gm fat; 2 gm sat fat; 95 mg chol; 338 mg sodium; 5 gm carb; 1 gm fiber; 15 gm protein

 

 

Healthy Taco Pasta Bake

If you’re looking for a quick and healthy dinner idea that the entire family will enjoy,  then you have to try this “Healthy Taco Pasta Bake”.  It’s made with whole grain pasta and ground turkey to increase fiber and reduce fat.  The best part is it tastes great.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 12 oz. box whole grain rotini pasta
• 1 packet low sodium taco seasoning
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chili pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 oz. fat free cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, brown ground turkey until no longer pink and drain any fat. Stir in can tomatoes, taco seasoning and water. Stir in cream cheese. Mix with cooked pasta, 1 cup cheese and meat mixture. Place in 13 x 9 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

NUTRITION INFO:

290 Calories, 10 g fat, 53 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 20 g protein

 

 

Skinny Soft Taco

Here it is again, the skinny taco.  Perfect for a quick & easy healthy dinner.

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 pound lean ground turkey
1 packet taco seasoning, low sodium
3/4 cup water
8 oz. low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
2 roma tomatoes, chopped
2 cups lettuce, shredded
1 cup salsa
fat-free sour cream, optional
8 whole grain tortillas

DIRECTIONS:

Brown ground turkey in skillet until no longer pink; drain fat. Add taco seasoning and water; stir until blended. Simmer for 5 minutes. Layer meat, cheese, tomato, lettuce and salsa on tortilla.

NUTRITION INFO:

Serving Size = 1 Taco

• 225 calories
• 4 g fat
• 34 mg cholesterol
• 530 mg sodium
• 26 g carbohydrate
• 3.5 g fiber
• 3 g sugar
• 21 g protein

Leftover Turkey Barley Soup

I love this time of year and the holidays!  I especially enjoy using the leftover turkey for healthy meals.  Since the weather in the northeast has been cold and snowy, it made perfect sense to make soup with the turkey.  It turned out absolutely delicious and did not take much effort.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
• 1/2 – 1 Cup Chopped Celery
• 1 Cup Chopped Carrots
• 1 Cup Leftover turkey, chopped or shredded
• 32 oz. Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1/2 Cup Barley, uncooked
• 1 Cup Water
• 1-2 Dashes Black Pepper, Dried Basil and Parsley

DIRECTIONS:

In a large stock pot, heat oil and sauté garlic and celery.  Stir in carrots and turkey and heat for a couple of minutes.  Add broth, water, barley and spices.  Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat and let simmer for an hour or until vegetables are tender.  Makes 8 servings.

NUTRITION INFO:

96 Calories, 3 g fat, 1 g sat. fat, 12 mg cholesterol, 69 mg sodium, 9 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 9 g protein

 

Skinny Taco

The skinny taco is just in time for Cinco de Mayo.  For a few ingredient swaps, you can enjoy a healthier low fat taco. INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2/3 cup water
• 8 oz. low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups lettuce, shredded
• 1 small jar taco sauce
• fat-free sour cream, optional
• 8 whole grain tortillas

DIRECTIONS: Brown ground turkey in skillet until no longer pink; drain fat.  Add taco seasoning and water; stir until blended.  Simmer for 5 minutes.  Layer meat, cheese, tomato, lettuce and taco sauce on tortilla. Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!