Our family has recently made the switch from ground beef to ground turkey.  With ground beef more than $2 a pound, we had basically quit eating hamburger for quite some time.  On a recent trip to the grocery store I noticed that ground turkey was HALF the price of ground beef, about $1 a pound.  I decided to give it a try, and our family loved the ground turkey.  Honestly, you can't even tell the difference in taste, and it is very low fat.  There is almost no fat to remove from your pan.  Here are some recipes our family adapted to our tastes:


Turkey Chili

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 lb. ground turkey
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1-2 tbsp. chili powder
1 28-oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1 15-oz. can of black beans, drained
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 can corn (optional)

In a large soup pan, cook onion, pepper, celery, and turkey in oil until turkey is cooked through.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.  Add tomatoes, beans, and oregano, and stir well.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add corn and simmer for 10 more minutes.  Serves 6.


Turkey Lasagna

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 lb. ground turkey
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
1 (14 1/2-oz.) can tomatoes, chopped, reserve liquid
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
2 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
8 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 (12-oz.) carton cottage or Ricotta cheese
3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

In a large skillet, cook onion, garlic, and turkey in oil until turkey is cooked through.  Add tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook lasagna noodles according to directions on package.

Lightly grease 13x9x2-inch baking dish.  Spoon 1/3 sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.  Top with 4 lasagna noodles.  Spoon cottage or Ricotta cheese over noodles.  Sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella cheese on top of cottage cheese.  Spoon 1/3 sauce over cheese, top with remaining noodles, and then spoon remaining sauce over noodles.  Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.  Serves 8.


Turkey Burgers

1 lb. fresh ground turkey
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup onion finely chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 lemon, juice of
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. soy sauce

Combine turkey, bread crumbs, and onion in a large mixing bowl.  In another bowl, stir together remaining ingredients.  Using hands, work sauce into turkey mixture.  Form into 6 patties and fry or grill.  Serves 6.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For more recipes, organizing tips, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.