Italian Ground Turkey & Veggie Skillet Recipe
This Italian Ground Turkey & Veggie Skillet is a nutritious and flavorful one-pan meal featuring lean ground turkey cooked with a medley of fresh vegetables and Italian-inspired seasonings. It’s a quick and easy dinner option that balances protein and vitamins, perfect for a healthy weeknight meal.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
For the Turkey Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (90% lean recommended)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
For the Veggies
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, cut into quarters lengthwise
- 2 bell peppers (any colors), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
- Brown the Turkey: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb of lean ground turkey. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, paprika, onion powder, and dried basil. Stir well and cook until no longer pink, then drain any excess fat or water. Remove the turkey from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the same skillet. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the quartered zucchini and bell pepper pieces to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then sprinkle in the garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, chili powder, and paprika. Continue cooking the vegetables for about 5 more minutes until they reach your preferred tenderness.
- Combine & Simmer: Return the browned ground turkey to the skillet. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1/4 cup water. Adjust seasonings to taste with additional garlic salt or spices if desired. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Optionally, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the top before serving. Enjoy the skillet meal on its own or with garlic bread or a side of rice for a complete Italian-inspired dinner.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
- Fresh herbs can be used in place of dried for brighter flavor.
- Adjust spice levels to suit your taste by varying the amount of chili powder and paprika.
- For a dairy-free version, omit Parmesan cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking vegetables to ensure even cooking.
Keywords: Italian ground turkey skillet, healthy turkey dinner, quick turkey skillet, low fat turkey recipe, turkey and vegetable skillet