Here is a great list of weeknight favorites.. casseroles, skillet suppers, tacos, pasta dishes, and more. But here’s the good news: every single one of these recipes works beautifully with ground turkey too. Whether you’re watching calories, stretching the grocery budget, or just using what you have on hand, you can swap beef and turkey one-for-one in these tried-and-true family meals.
Same comfort. Same flavor. Your choice. We do have a few tips if using ground turkey and you will find those throughout this post.
Skillet Suppers
We love dishes you can make in one skillet and these are a few of our favorites! Add a side salad, and you have a quick and delicious meal.
Chili Mac Skillet
This Chili Mac Skillet is delicious and comes together well. You can serve it over Fritos if you like!
Ground Beef and Gravy
This is a simple dish that is wonderful over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Swap for ground turkey for a lighter option.
Hobo Stew – 4 Ingredients
Grab 4 simple ingredients and make this easy dish! Great for a busy night!
Hamburger Creamed Gravy or SOS
This recipe has a history and if you want to learn more just read the comments!
French Onion Beef and Rice
This is an easy dish that comes together well, lots of flavor and reheats well too.
Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet
This pasta skillet has a wonderful flavor and it's easy to make! You can use any pasta you like!
Helpful Swap Tips: Ground Beef to Ground Turkey
If you’re swapping ground turkey for ground beef in these recipes, here are a few simple tips to keep everything just as flavorful and comforting:
Use a 1:1 swap.
Ground turkey can be substituted directly for ground beef in equal amounts.
Choose the right turkey.
If you want a similar richness to beef, use 85/15 or 93/7 ground turkey instead of the ultra-lean kind.
Add protein.
Ground turkey is a leaner meat and is high in protein. If you are looking for a lower fat option then switch the ground beef for ground turkey.
Add extra seasoning.
Ground turkey has a milder flavor than beef, so don’t be shy with salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, or your favorite seasoning blend. For example, in the brown sugar meatloaf, when we are making it with ground turkey, we double the seasonings and the sauce. Ground turkey needs the extra boost. So if the recipe you are making has seasoning, we suggest doubling it or if it’s made with tomato paste, you can double that for added flavor.
Add moisture if needed.
If using very lean turkey, add 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter while browning to prevent it from drying out.
Casserole and Oven-Baked Favorites
These are wonderful dishes that reheat well and are great for a hearty meal. Anyone can make these, and they are all versatile!
Lazy Lasagna – 4 Ingredients
So simple and so good! One of our most popular for a reason!
Fiesta Pasta Bake
This casserole is super easy but loaded in flavor! You can use any pasta you like!
Cajun Hand Pies
These have a wonderful flavor and can be made with a frozen pie crust.
Big Mac Sliders
Try these delicious sliders or make the meat mixture and serve it on buns!
Scalloped Potato Cottage Pie
This recipe does take a little work but it's worth it and reheats well!
Favorite Baked Spaghetti
This baked spaghetti has fantastic reviews and it's perfect for a busy night or a potluck!
Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
If you need a super simple dinner recipe, add this one to your list! It's so good and comes together quickly.
Unstuffed Shells Casserole
If you love stuffed shells, try this easy casserole. It's versatile and delicius!
Join Us On The Porch..
If The Southern Lady Cooks is where we gather around the kitchen table, Front Porch Life is where the conversation continues. It’s a slower, sweeter place filled with nostalgic stories, comforting recipes, beautiful homes, and the kind of moments that make you want to sit a little longer. We’d love for you to join us on the porch and be part of that community. Membership is on sale now!
Family Favorites
These are all family favorites and among our most popular recipes. They are tried-and-true and have been made many times with both ground beef and turkey.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
This is a 5 star recipe all day long and twice on Sundays! Make this one! Add some mashed potatoes for a fantastic meal!
Stuffed Green Peppers
This is a recipe that we make a lot and many of our followers do too! It's a classic!
Favorite Lasagna
This recipe is on you will make over and over! Hearty, delicious and reheats well!
Homemade Sloppy Joes
This is one of the best recipes on our site and many agree! The meat mixture is great over a potato, tater tots or on a bun!
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