Creamy Taco Mac

This recipe is also one that's already out there in the blog world, at Annie's Eats.  She's awesome, a "real" food blogger with tons of yummy recipes along with pics- I tried but trust me, I can't make it look appetizing.  I have to say, I was not on my game tonight.  I didn't have anything prepared (like the onions diced, etc) before starting and I ended up being rushed and behind.  So the fact that this recipe is not getting a full awesome review is probably 100% my fault and not Annie's.

Creamy Taco Mac

Ingredients

• 1¼ lbs. ground turkey
• 8 oz. dry pasta shapes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained 
• 4 tbsp. taco seasoning
• 3 oz. cream cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper
• Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Cook pasta according to the package directions.  Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.  Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat until no longer pink.  
3. A few minutes before the turkey is cooked through, add the chopped onion to the skillet.  
4. Once the turkey is cooked through, mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Mix in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  
6. Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended.  
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  
8. Simmer over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit.  
9. Remove from the heat and top with shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.

My Tips

• Like I said, I was totally not on my game tonight.  I was using hamburger meat instead of turkey and it wasn't completely thawed, which screwed me up.
• I was so busy dealing with that issue that I didn't get the onion diced in time to actually cook with the meat so instead of being cooked they were a little raw.
• I also didn't get the garlic minced so I said fuck it and just used garlic powder.
• I also couldn't find my taco seasoning.  We made another dish with it late last week and it's possible the husband used all of it instead of saving half for tonight as I had planned.  
• I think the taco seasoning was the biggest issue.  It was a good foundation but lacking in flavor, so we added salt/pepper/garlic powder/chili/& Italian seasoning.  
• The best addition was Monterrey Jack cheese though. 
• I fully plan on making this again, but actually having everything that it calls for.  To be as unprepared as I was it was still yummy though.