Satisfy Your Comfort Food Craving with Ground Turkey Pot Pie

As soon as the weather turns chilly I start craving hearty comfort foods that warm me from the inside out. Pot pie immediately comes to mind as the ultimate cozy meal. But instead of using leftover turkey I like to make this pie with ground turkey for a fun twist. The savory ground meat mingles perfectly with veggies and gravy to create a satisfying pot pie that’s quick and easy to whip up.

Using ground turkey as the star of this pot pie is genius because it’s budget-friendly and easy to cook right in the filling. No need to roast a whole bird ahead of time! I simply season the ground turkey with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper as it browns before adding in the veggies.

For the filling base, I sauté the classic trio of onions, carrots and celery. Their softened texture and flavor form the foundation. Garlic, of course, adds its aromatic touch. Once the ground turkey browns, I stir in some flour to thicken the filling.Chicken broth and milk provide a rich, creamy base.

In terms of veggies you can play around with your favorites. I like using frozen peas along with mushrooms for texture. But feel free to add frozen chopped broccoli cauliflower, green beans or whatever you have on hand. The beauty of pot pie is customizing it to your taste.

While the filling simmers on the stove, I prepare the pie dough You can certainly use store-bought dough to save time But my favorite homemade pie crust yields the flakiest top. I roll out one disc of chilled dough into a circle slightly wider than my pie dish.

After letting the filling cool slightly, I pour it into the dish and top with the pie dough. I trim, fold and flute the edges for a perfect pot pie presentation. An egg wash gives the crust a glossy sheen and gorgeous golden color when baked.

Fresh from the oven, this ground turkey pot pie is total comfort food bliss. The tender ground meat and veggies enveloped in creamy gravy make every bite so satisfying. I like to serve it with a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal. Leftovers heat up nicely for a few days, though this pie never lasts long in my house!

Here are some tips for making the best ground turkey pot pie:

• Use 85% lean ground turkey so the meat stays moist during cooking. Extra lean is too dry.

• Make sure to season the turkey with salt, pepper and herbs as it browns. This adds big flavor.

• Sauté the onion, carrots, celery and garlic first to build a flavorful base.

• Stir in flour once the ground turkey is cooked to help thicken the filling.

• Use chicken broth and milk for a creamy, gravy-like consistency.

• Customize the veggies to your liking. Peas, corn, green beans all work well.

• Chill the pie dough before rolling for easy handling and a flaky crust.

• Brush the top crust with egg wash before baking for a pretty sheen.

• Cover the exposed crust edges with foil to prevent over-browning.

This hearty ground turkey pot pie is the ultimate comfort food for chilly days. The flavorful filling tucked under a golden flaky crust is so satisfying. I hope you’ll give this fun twist on classic pot pie a try soon. Just beware – it may become your new favorite way to satisfy your pot pie craving!