Description
This Italian Ground Turkey & Veggie Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring lean ground turkey seasoned with classic Italian herbs and spices, sautéed with fresh zucchini, bell peppers, and onions, then simmered in a rich tomato paste sauce. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish combines protein and veggies in a hearty, aromatic skillet entrée.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 2½ lb ground turkey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp basil
- 2 tsp garlic
Vegetables
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- 2 zucchini, sliced or chopped
- 2 bell peppers, sliced or chopped
Vegetable Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp basil
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
Other Ingredients
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Turkey: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the ground turkey until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess water or fat. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, paprika, onion powder, basil, and garlic to the browned turkey, stirring well to combine. Remove the turkey from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the same pan. Add the chopped yellow onion and garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the sliced zucchini and bell peppers to the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the veggie seasonings: garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, chili powder, and paprika. Continue cooking for approximately 5 more minutes or until the vegetables reach your desired level of doneness.
- Combine Turkey and Simmer: Return the seasoned ground turkey to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the tomato paste and water until the mixture is well blended. Allow the skillet to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with Parmesan cheese. This skillet meal pairs wonderfully with garlic bread or served over rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Adjust the chili powder quantity to control the spice level according to your taste.
- Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder and garlic salt for a more robust garlic flavor.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the Parmesan cheese topping.
- Add other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition and variety.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian ground turkey skillet, healthy ground turkey recipe, turkey and veggie skillet, low fat Italian dinner, easy weeknight skillet recipes
