Description
This Creamy Ground Turkey & Spinach Protein Bowl is a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious dish featuring lean ground turkey simmered with fresh spinach, cottage cheese, and vibrant salsa. Enhanced with aromatic herbs and a touch of Worcestershire sauce, it delivers a creamy texture and a balanced mix of protein, greens, and spices. Perfect for a wholesome, satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1.5 lbs ground turkey
- 1.5 cups cottage cheese (preferably 2% or 4% fat for best texture)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables and Fresh Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 0.5 medium onion, diced
- 1.5 cups hot salsa (use mild or medium to reduce heat if preferred)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Oils
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for cooking
Instructions
- Heat the Cooking Oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large flat nonstick skillet over medium heat. Using a flat skillet helps ensure even heat distribution to prevent the turkey from drying out.
- Cook the Ground Turkey: Add 1.5 pounds of ground turkey to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a meat chopper or spatula for about 6–7 minutes to ensure quick, even browning.
- Sauté Aromatics and Herbs: Incorporate diced half a medium onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano, and 0.5 teaspoon dried basil. Continue cooking for 3–5 minutes until the onion softens and the herbs release their fragrance.
- Add Salsa, Butter, and Spinach: Pour in 1.5 cups of hot salsa and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir until the butter melts, then add 3 cups of fresh spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts completely.
- Mix in Creamy Elements and Seasonings: Stir in 1.5 cups cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, and 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the cottage cheese warms through and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Simmer to Thicken: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce and meld all the flavors together. Adjust salt, pepper, and spice levels as desired.
- Serve: Serve the creamy turkey and spinach mixture hot, either alone or over your choice of rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Using a flat nonstick skillet is key to preventing the turkey from drying out during cooking.
- Adjust the salsa heat level (mild, medium, hot) based on your spice preference.
- A meat chopper tool helps break up turkey evenly for consistent browning.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cottage cheese with a vegan alternative or omit it.
- This dish pairs well with grain bases like brown rice, quinoa, or low-carb options like cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground turkey recipe, creamy turkey spinach bowl, high protein meal, healthy turkey dinner, stovetop turkey recipe, cottage cheese in savory dishes
