Zucchini & Ground Turkey Skillet with Ricotta Recipe
This Zucchini & Ground Turkey Skillet with Ricotta is a quick, healthy, and flavorful one-pan meal that combines lean ground turkey, tender zucchini, and a rich marinara sauce topped with creamy ricotta and parmesan cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it offers a comforting balance of protein, vegetables, and Italian-inspired seasonings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon no-salt-added Italian seasoning
- 3 medium zucchini, diced (about 4 cups)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ¼ cups good-quality marinara sauce (about a 15.5 ounce jar)
Ricotta Topping
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan, freshly grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the turkey: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, and Italian seasoning. Break up the meat with a spoon while cooking until browned and mostly cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the turkey from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the zucchini and garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil, diced zucchini, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until zucchini is just tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Combine turkey and marinara: Return the cooked turkey to the skillet with the zucchini. Pour in the marinara sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the mixture to warm through and thicken slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
- Prepare ricotta topping: In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, freshly grated Parmesan, and chopped basil until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble and serve: Turn off the heat. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the skillet contents, allowing it to melt slightly into the sauce. Garnish with additional basil, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use the best quality marinara sauce you can find or make your own homemade marinara for enhanced flavor since the dish has minimal ingredients.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit them entirely.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- You can substitute ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
Keywords: Zucchini skillet dinner, ground turkey recipes, easy healthy dinners, low fat Italian skillet, ricotta topping, quick weeknight meal