Ground turkey zucchini skillet: 30 min joy

Oh, those weeknights, right? When the clock is ticking and the thought of cooking feels like just *another* thing on the never-ending to-do list. I totally get it. For years, my kitchen was the last place I wanted to be after a crazy day at my old corporate job. Dinner was usually something I grabbed on the go, and honestly? I thought I just wasn’t a “kitchen person.” But then I learned to bake bread, and something just clicked – that feeling of creating something delicious with my own hands? Pure joy! That’s how I discovered how simple and SO rewarding cooking can be, especially when you find those go-to recipes like this ground turkey zucchini skillet. It’s become my absolute lifesaver for healthy, speedy dinners, and I’m so excited to share it with you all!

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Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Seriously, this ground turkey zucchini skillet is a weeknight warrior! It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, and the best part? It’s an easy stove top recipe that uses just ONE pan. Talk about minimal cleanup! Plus, it’s packed with lean protein from the turkey and loads of healthy veggies like zucchini, making it a fantastic choice for healthy weeknight meals. It’s naturally low-carb and super flavorful, which means even the pickiest eaters in your family will probably love it. What’s not to adore?

Ingredients for Your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to whip up this delicious one-pan wonder! It’s really straightforward. You’ll grab about a tablespoon of olive oil to get things started in the pan. Then, you’ll need a pound of good old ground turkey – I like to go for the leaner kind. For our aromatics, one medium onion that you’ll want to get chopped up, and a couple of garlic cloves, minced nice and fine. For the flavor base, we’ve got about a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, half a teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper. Then come the stars of the show: two medium zucchini, chopped up into bite-sized pieces, and one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes, undrained. Lastly, just a quarter cup of chicken broth to bring it all together. Oh, and if you’re feeling fancy, some grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top at the end is totally optional but highly recommended!

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Effortless Steps: How to Make This Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Okay, so making this ground turkey zucchini skillet is honestly a breeze, which is exactly why I love it so much for busy nights! We’re talking about getting this dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, start to finish. Let’s get cooking!

1. First things first, grab a nice big skillet – whatever you’ve got, just make sure it’s got some room to move! Pop it on the stove over medium-high heat and drizzle in that tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Once the oil is shimmering, add your pound of ground turkey. Now, use your spoon to break it all up as it cooks. You’re looking for it to get nice and browned all over. It usually takes about 5-7 minutes. We want to drain off any extra grease after it’s browned, just because it makes the dish a little lighter.
3. Next up, toss in your chopped onion. Let that cook with the turkey for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until the onion starts to get soft and see-through.
4. Now, stir in your minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir and let it cook for just about 1 minute more. You’ll totally smell that incredible aroma when the garlic gets fragrant – that’s your cue!
5. Time for the veggies! Add your chopped zucchini to the skillet. Stir everything well and cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want the zucchini to be tender-crisp. You know, still a little bite to it, not totally mushy.
6. Here comes the saucy part! Pour in your can of diced tomatoes (juices and all – don’t drain them!) and the chicken broth. Give it a good stir, bring the whole thing to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for another 5 minutes. Stir it now and then, and you’ll see the sauce thicken up just perfectly.This is where that magic happens!
7. And that’s it! Serve your amazing ground turkey zucchini skillet hot right out of the pan. Sprinkle with some grated Parmesan cheese if you like – it adds a lovely salty kick that just makes everything shine. Enjoy your super easy, delicious meal!

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Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

I’ve made this turkey veggie skillet so many times, and I’ve picked up a few tricks to make it even better! Don’t be afraid to play around with the flavors or veggies; that’s the beauty of a good skillet dinner like this, perfect for a lovely summer zucchini dinner. What I love most is that the base recipe is so forgiving. Check out more tips and tricks on the blog!

Ingredient Swaps for Your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Don’t have Italian seasoning? No worries! Swap it out for about a teaspoon of taco seasoning for a totally different vibe, or mix your own with equal parts paprika, cumin, and a pinch of chili powder for a little warmth. If zucchini isn’t your favorite or it’s not in season, feel free to toss in some chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach at the very end. It’s all about making it work for you!

Serving Your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

This skillet is super versatile. For a lighter, low-carb meal, I love serving it just as it is, or maybe spooned over some fluffy cauliflower rice for extra goodness. If you’re craving something a bit heartier, it’s fantastic over cooked rice or pasta. You can even use it as a filling for lettuce wraps for a fun, hand-held meal! And speaking of easy, this also makes perfect meal prep bowls for grab-and-go lunches during the week.

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Make-Ahead and Storage for This Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

The best thing about this ground turkey zucchini skillet is how perfectly it holds up for leftovers. I’m talking about making a big batch on Sunday and having delicious lunches ready to go all week long! Just let the skillet cool down completely, then portion it out into airtight containers. It’ll stay good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just pop a container in the microwave and heat it through until it’s nice and warm. Honestly, sometimes I think it tastes even better the next day! It’s seriously a lifesaver for those busy weekdays and makes meal prep a total breeze.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Got questions about this quick and tasty ground turkey zucchini skillet? I’ve got you covered!

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken is a fantastic substitute if you prefer it. It cooks up pretty much the same way and will give you a wonderfully light and healthy meal. Just make sure to cook it through until no pink is showing, just like the turkey!

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes, this turkey veggie skillet freezes really well, which is awesome for meal prep! Once it’s cooled, pack it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It should be good in the freezer for about 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. It’s perfect for those days when you just don’t have time to cook!

How can I make this ground turkey zucchini skillet spicier?

If you love a little heat, you’ve got options! You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic and spices. Or, try adding some diced jalapeños or a swirl of your favorite hot sauce at the end. For a kick with a different flavor profile, you could even try using a spicy taco seasoning instead of Italian seasoning!

Can I add other vegetables to this?

Oh, for sure! This dish is super adaptable for a lovely summer zucchini dinner. Feel free to toss in some chopped bell peppers and onions with the ground turkey, or add some corn kernels or peas towards the end of cooking. Whatever veggies you have on hand, chances are they’ll work beautifully in this skillet!

Nutritional Estimate for Your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Okay, so everyone asks about the nitty-gritty on the nutrition, and honestly, I love that! This low carb skillet is a fantastic choice for keeping things healthy. Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the specific brands you use and how much you sprinkle on that cheese! But generally, a serving is around 350 calories, with about 30g of protein, 18g of carbs, and 15g of healthy fats. It’s just a great, balanced meal!

Share Your Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet Creations!

Alright, now that you’ve made this amazing ground turkey zucchini skillet, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it! Did you try any fun ingredient swaps? How did it go? Please drop a comment below to share your experience, or even give it a star rating! And if you snap any pics, you know I wanna see them! Tag us on social media or send them our way through the contact page. You can also find us on Facebook – come say hi!

Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet

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A quick and healthy one-pan dinner featuring lean ground turkey and fresh zucchini, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

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• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 medium zucchini, chopped
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for serving

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
5. Add zucchini and cook until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
7. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• For a low-carb meal, serve as is or over cauliflower rice.
• For a heartier meal, serve over cooked rice or pasta, or use as a filling for lettuce wraps.
• Swap Italian seasoning for your favorite spice blend, such as taco seasoning or a mix of paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
• This skillet is great for meal prep; portion into containers for easy lunches.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg