If you’re searching for a dinner that’s as hearty as it is wholesome, look no further than this Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet. Bursting with colorful veggies, lean protein, and vibrant seasonings, this quick one-pan meal solves dinner dilemmas in just 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything simmers together in a single skillet, making cleanup a total breeze after a busy night.
- Wholesome & Satisfying: Packed with lean ground turkey and fresh, vitamin-rich veggies for a meal that leaves you feeling nourished, not weighed down.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: You can have this easy ground turkey and zucchini skillet on the table before anyone gets hangry!
- Totally Customizable: Mix and match veggies or spices to suit your family’s tastes and whatever you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about the Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is how it transforms everyday staples into a flavor-packed meal. Each ingredient below plays a role—building vibrant color, irresistible texture, and irresistible savoriness in every forkful.
- Lean Ground Turkey: This is the protein hero! It’s light, tender, and soaks up all those spices beautifully. You can swap in lean ground beef for a heartier, richer flavor.
- Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Dried Oregano, Paprika: These simple spices build layers of warmth and savoriness—no bland turkey here!
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic infuses the turkey with that unmistakable aroma and keeps the skillet deeply flavorful.
- Olive or Avocado Oil: Adds richness and helps veggies get those lovely golden edges. Either oil works—the goal is a beautiful, glistening sauté.
- Zucchini: This veggie soaks up flavor, adds color, and keeps the skillet light and fresh. Choose firm, bright green zucchini for best texture.
- Bell Pepper: Any color brings a pop of sweetness and a gentle crunch that plays so well with the zucchini.
- White or Yellow Onion: Onion cooks down for mild sweetness and a classic savory backbone.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, More Oregano, Basil, Paprika: Extra layers of seasoning ensure every bite is seasoned to perfection.
- Water & Tomato Paste: This duo creates a savory, almost saucy base, pulling everything together with umami depth.
- Fresh Baby Spinach: Tossed in at the end, it melts into the skillet for a burst of green and a gentle, earthy taste.
Variations
One of the best things about the Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is how easy it is to tweak for your preferences, dietary needs, or simply whatever’s hanging out in your crisper drawer. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Make It Cheesy: Sprinkle a handful of shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even feta over the top just before serving for an ooey-gooey finish.
- Swap the Protein: Try ground chicken, ground beef, or plant-based crumbles for a different spin—whatever you love or have on hand.
- Add Extra Veggies: Toss in mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or even frozen corn for a colorful, veggie-packed skillet.
- Spice It Up: Love some heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a splash of hot sauce, or smidgen of cayenne for a spicy kick.
How to Make Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Step 1: Brown the Turkey
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high and add your ground turkey. Use a spatula to break it up as it cooks, moving the meat around until it’s completely browned with those tasty little golden bits. Don’t rush—browning really builds rich, savory flavor!
Step 2: Add Spices and Garlic
Sprinkle in salt, pepper, chili powder, dried oregano, paprika, and the minced garlic. Stir it all together and sauté for one minute—just long enough for the garlic to bloom and turn a gorgeous light golden color. Move this fragrant turkey mixture to a plate and set it aside for now.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Turn the heat down to medium, then pour in your olive or avocado oil. Toss in the zucchini, bell pepper, and onion. Sprinkle on the rest of the seasonings: salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, paprika, and black pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften and the onion is translucent. This usually takes about 5–10 minutes—don’t let those veggies turn to mush!
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Return the cooked turkey and all its juices to the skillet. Pour in the water and tomato paste, then pile on the fresh spinach. Give everything a good stir, then cover and let it simmer for 5–10 minutes, just until the spinach is wilted and everything is piping hot. Your Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is almost ready for the table!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
- Get That Golden Sear: Let your turkey sit undisturbed for a minute or two before stirring—this gives you delicious caramelized bits for extra flavor.
- Even Veggie Chopping: Cut your zucchini, peppers, and onion to about the same size. This helps them cook at the same rate, so every bite is tender yet crisp.
- Don’t Overcook the Veggies: Cook them just until tender—overcooked zucchini can get mushy and lose its fresh bite.
- Simmer for Flavor: Once you add water and tomato paste, don’t skip simmering with the lid on! It lets those flavors mingle and helps the spinach cook perfectly.
How to Serve Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Garnishes
Toss a rain of chopped fresh parsley or basil over your skillet for a bright, herby finish. For even more flair, try a little grated Parmesan, a squeeze of fresh lemon, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes—you’ll be amazed at how these simple extras perk things up!
Side Dishes
This Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is lovely as a stand-alone meal, but it also shines scooped over fluffy rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Warm crusty bread (to mop up those saucy bits) or a crisp green salad makes dinner feel like magic with almost zero effort.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re after something fun, tuck leftovers into pita pockets for easy lunches, or pile the skillet filling into roasted bell pepper halves and broil for a “stuffed pepper” twist. Layer it into meal prep containers for the ultimate grab-and-go lunch to keep you fueled all week.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftover Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors seem to get even more delicious overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to!
Freezing
To freeze, let the skillet cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It keeps beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or use your microwave’s defrost setting for a quick weeknight rescue.
Reheating
For best results, rewarm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. Or, microwave in 45-second bursts, stirring in between. Garnish fresh again, and it’s as good as new!
FAQs
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Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works just as beautifully in this skillet—just as lean and mild, and it absorbs the flavors of the spices and veggies. You might find the flavor a touch milder, so feel free to add a pinch more seasoning if desired.
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Will the zucchini get soggy?
Not if you don’t overcook it! The key to perfect zucchini is to sauté it just until almost tender—remember, it keeps cooking after you add the turkey back in. Cut the pieces evenly and keep an eye so they keep their pleasant texture.
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Can I leave out the spinach?
Definitely—if you’re not a spinach fan or simply don’t have any, this recipe will still turn out delicious. Try stirring in kale, Swiss chard, or even extra bell peppers for more veggie variety.
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What’s the best way to meal prep this recipe?
Make the full Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet and cool completely, then portion into containers. It reheats wonderfully, so it’s perfect for meal prep—just add a scoop of rice or quinoa for a complete grab-and-go meal.
Final Thoughts
If you love meals that are fast, flavor-packed, and loaded with veggies, this Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet will quickly become your favorite. I can’t wait for you to try it—let me know how you make it your own!
Print
Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Lean ground turkey is cooked with a medley of colorful vegetables and aromatic seasonings for a satisfying and healthy dish.
Ingredients
Ground Turkey Mixture:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
Veggies:
- 1 1/2 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 2 medium zucchini, cubed
- 1 bell pepper, any color, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 1/2 white or yellow onion, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Ground Turkey Mixture: Add ground turkey to a large skillet on the stovetop. Cook until browned, then add seasonings and garlic. Set aside.
- Veggies: In the same skillet, sauté zucchini, onion, and bell pepper with seasonings. Add back the cooked turkey, garlic, water, tomato paste, and spinach. Simmer until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
