This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a simple, savory dish that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect one-pan meal for busy weeknights. It’s packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables for a dinner that is as wholesome as it is flavorful.
My dad, James, always appreciated a simple, hearty meal after a day in the garden. This straightforward skillet, with its honest, earthy flavors, reminds me of him. It’s the kind of satisfying dish he would have loved, a warm and comforting meal that truly tastes like home.
What Makes This Skillet a Weeknight Treasure
- Ready in a Flash: This entire meal comes together in one pan in less than 30 minutes.
- Nourishing and Light: A fantastic option for a wholesome dinner, this dish is full of lean protein and fresh zucchini.
- A Taste of Home: With its simple, savory flavors, it’s a dish that everyone at the table will enjoy.
- Beautifully Versatile: Serve it on its own for a low-carb option, or pair it with rice or quinoa for a heartier meal.
Gathering Your Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into rounds
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a kick)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
My Trusted Kitchen Helpers for This Recipe
Large Skillet
A large skillet is my go-to for this recipe because it gives all the ingredients enough space to brown properly without steaming.
Wooden Spatula
I always reach for my wooden spatula for breaking up the ground turkey; it won’t scratch my favorite pan.
Bringing Your Skillet to Life
Step 1: First, We’ll Gently Soften the Onions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until it has softened and become fragrant. I always love the smell of onions cooking; it’s the start of something wonderful.
Step 2: Time to Brown the Turkey and Spices
Add the ground turkey to the skillet, using a spatula to break it apart. Season it with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and chili powder if you like a little heat. Continue cooking for about 6–8 minutes, until the turkey is nicely browned.
Step 3: Adding a Little Tomato and Garlic Magic
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Let it all sauté together for another minute. This little step really helps to deepen the flavors and give the sauce a richer taste.
Step 4: Bringing in the Zucchini and Broth
Now, add the zucchini rounds and pour in the broth. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer uncovered for 5–6 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the zucchini is tender and the sauce has thickened just a bit.
Step 5: A Final Taste for Seasoning
Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if you think it needs it. Sometimes a final pinch of salt is all it takes to bring all the flavors together perfectly.
Step 6: Finishing with a Sprinkle of Freshness
Right before serving, garnish with fresh parsley or basil. You can enjoy this dish all on its own, or serve it over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa.
A Gentle Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities used.
A Few Ideas for a Lighter Dish
For an even healthier take on this dish, consider these simple swaps:
- Extra Lean Turkey: Use 99% lean ground turkey to reduce the fat content further.
- More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrients and fiber.
- Low-Sodium Broth: Opt for a low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth to control the sodium levels.
My Favorite Ways to Serve This Skillet
This versatile skillet is wonderful on its own, but here are a few other ways I love to serve it:
- In Crisp Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the mixture into crisp lettuce cups for a light and refreshing meal.
- Tossed with Pasta: Toss it with your favorite pasta for a hearty and satisfying dinner.
- As a Bell Pepper Filling: Use the ground turkey and zucchini mixture to stuff bell peppers and bake until tender.
A Little Advice to Guarantee Success
- Give It Room: Make sure your skillet is large enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably. If the pan is too crowded, the turkey and zucchini will steam instead of brown.
- Watch the Zucchini: Keep a close eye on the zucchini as it simmers. You want it to be tender, but still have a slight bite. Mushy zucchini can make the dish less appealing.
- Drain If Needed: If you’re using ground turkey with a higher fat content, be sure to drain off any excess fat after browning the meat to keep the dish light and healthy.
How to Store and Enjoy Your Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm the skillet mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
From My Humble Kitchen to Yours
There’s something so special about a simple, home-cooked meal that brings everyone to the table. This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is one of those dishes for me, quick to make, full of wholesome goodness, and a reminder of the simple joys of family. I hope you’ll give it a try and that it brings as much warmth to your kitchen as it does to mine.
A Few Answers to Your Questions
What if I want to use different meat?
Yes, you can certainly substitute ground chicken or even lean ground beef in this recipe. The cooking time should remain about the same.
Is this a good recipe to make ahead?
Absolutely. You can prepare the entire dish, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. It’s a great option for meal prep.
What can I do if I don’t have fresh herbs?
Dried herbs can work in a pinch. If you don’t have fresh parsley or basil, you can stir in a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning along with the other spices.
Print
Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a simple, savory one-pan meal packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into rounds
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Cook 6–8 minutes until browned.
- Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Sauté 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Add zucchini rounds and broth. Stir and simmer uncovered for 5–6 minutes until zucchini is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish with parsley or basil before serving. Enjoy as-is or serve over rice or quinoa.
Notes
Use 99% lean turkey for a lighter version. Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms. Opt for low-sodium broth if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: ground turkey, zucchini, skillet, one-pan, healthy dinner