Description
This Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a healthy and flavorful one-pan meal that combines lean ground turkey with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers a balanced mix of protein and vegetables, cooked to perfection in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
- 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 and Oil
- 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
Sauces and Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (additional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (additional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (additional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (additional)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped or whole
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey (or beef) to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spatula to crumble the meat and cook until browned, stirring occasionally.
- Season the Meat: Stir in salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, paprika, and minced garlic. Sauté for about one minute until the garlic is golden. Remove the cooked meat mixture from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add oil to the skillet along with zucchini, onion, and bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, paprika, and pepper. Stir well and sauté for 5-10 minutes until vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent.
- Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Return the cooked ground turkey and garlic to the skillet. Add water, tomato paste, and spinach. Mix well, then cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes until heated through and spinach is wilted.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef for ground turkey if preferred.
- Adjust the spice levels according to your taste, adding more chili powder or pepper if desired.
- This dish can be served over rice or with crusty bread for a more filling meal.
- For a dairy-free option, omit any cheese or creamy additions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
