Description
How to make a savory Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet with lean meat and fresh veggies that’s ready in 30 minutes for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Skillet Components:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Aromatics & Flavor Builders:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Essential Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Finishing Touches:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Onion Base: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This builds a fragrant, flavorful base for your Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet.
- Brown Turkey: Add 1 pound of lean ground turkey to the skillet with the onion. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink and nicely browned. Drain any excess fat to keep your skillet healthy and lean for the next step.
- Build Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the tomato paste to caramelize slightly, enhancing the depth.
- Simmer Skillet: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 5 minutes. This allows the ingredients to really get to know each other.
- Add Zucchini: Now, stir the diced zucchini into the simmering Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes, until the zucchini is tender-crisp but not mushy, maintaining its delightful texture.
- Finish Dish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley until well combined. This adds a lovely creamy touch and fresh aroma, completing your savory Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet.
- Serve Warm: Ladle this comforting Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet into bowls. Garnish with a little extra Parmesan and parsley if desired. Serve immediately for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal your family will absolutely love.
Notes
Add diced zucchini last to prevent mushiness; cook until tender-crisp for delightful texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; cool completely before storing.
Ground chicken is an excellent substitute for turkey; use lean ground chicken to maintain a healthy, less greasy skillet.
Serve warm, garnished with parsley or Parmesan. It pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or a simple green salad.
For easy make-ahead, chop your onion, garlic, and bell pepper a day in advance to save prep time.
**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Fish, Gluten