One-Pan Italian Ground Turkey & Veggie Skillet Recipe
This One-Pan Italian Ground Turkey & Veggie Skillet is a wholesome and flavorful meal combining lean ground turkey with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, Italian herbs, and a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner, this skillet dish brings vibrant flavors and nutrition to your table with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped small (1 ½ cups)
- 1 medium yellow squash, chopped small (1 ½ cups)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped small
- 2 cups eggplant, chopped
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 Tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan or dairy-free cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Brown the ground turkey: Add 1 lb of ground turkey (or chicken) to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Season the meat: Stir in 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to evenly coat the meat mixture with herbs and seasoning.
- Add chopped vegetables: Mix in the chopped zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, and eggplant. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate tomatoes and tomato paste: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (or fire-roasted tomatoes) along with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Stir well to combine, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld for about 7-10 minutes on medium heat.
- Add balsamic vinegar and basil: Stir in 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar and the chopped fresh basil. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to incorporate the fresh herb flavor.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Optionally, sprinkle ¼ cup of freshly grated parmesan or dairy-free cheese over the top before serving for added richness and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken for ground turkey depending on preference or availability.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the parmesan or use a plant-based cheese.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or over cooked pasta or rice.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: ground turkey skillet, Italian ground turkey recipe, one pan dinner, healthy turkey skillet, easy Italian dinner, ground turkey and veggies