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Italian Ground Turkey Skillet

Italian ground turkey skillet - featured image

This Italian Ground Turkey Skillet is a healthy, one-pan dinner packed with lean protein, colorful veggies, and classic Italian flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and is endlessly adaptable for different diets and preferences.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% or 99% lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted if possible)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the veggies: Dice the onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Mince the garlic.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  3. Push turkey to the sides of the pan. Add diced onion and bell pepper to the center. Sauté until onion is soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in diced zucchini and cook for 2 minutes to soften.
  5. Add canned diced tomatoes (with juices) and tomato paste. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  6. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
  7. Stir in baby spinach and let it wilt, about 1 minute. Add parmesan cheese and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Remove from heat. Garnish with torn fresh basil and extra parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, skip the parmesan or use a vegan alternative. You can swap ground turkey for ground chicken or plant-based crumbles. Add extra veggies like mushrooms or kale for variety. If the skillet is too watery, simmer uncovered to thicken. Serve over pasta, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a heartier meal.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey, Italian skillet, healthy dinner, one pan, quick dinner, gluten-free, easy recipe, weeknight meal, low carb, high protein