All Recipes - Brain-Healthy Turkey Helper

Brain-Healthy Turkey Helper



This Brain-Healthy Turkey Helper is the cozy, creamy, one-pan dinner you’ll want on repeat—fast, comforting, and secretly packed with nutrients. Inspired by classic Hamburger Helper but upgraded for your real life, this lighter version uses lean ground turkey, whole-wheat (or chickpea) pasta, and a homemade helper base rich in spices, tomato, and nutritional yeast for that irresistible cheesy flavor without any actual cheese. Ready in under 35 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight recipe for anyone following the MIND diet, looking for high-fiber family dinners, or wanting an easy brain-healthy meal prep option. Finely chopped kale cooks down into the sauce (even picky eaters won’t notice!), and Greek yogurt stirred in at the end gives the creaminess you crave with added protein.

Brain-Healthy Turkey Helper

Ingredients

Helper Base

  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp water

Ingredients (Day of)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cups kale, finely chopped
  • 8 oz pasta, whole wheat or chickpea
  • 2 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 cup milk, soy, unsweetened or 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, nonfat

Instructions

  1. Stir together the Helper Base.
  2. Warm olive oil in a deep skillet. Add turkey + onion. Cook until browned.
  3. Dump in the chopped kale.
  4. Stir in the premade base until everything is coated.
  5. Pour in broth and milk. Add pasta.
  6. Stir well.
  7. Cover and cook until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy.
  8. Add a splash more broth if needed.
  9. Turn off heat. Stir in Greek yogurt.
  10. Serve with chopped salad on the other half of the plate.

Serving Suggestions



Published: Nov 22, 2025