Description
This ground turkey butternut squash skillet is a quick, healthy, and flavorful one-pan meal. With lean turkey, tender squash, and savory seasonings, it’s the perfect easy dinner for busy nights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Squash:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey
- 3–4 cups chopped butternut squash (about 1 medium squash)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Seasonings and Garnishes:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Cook the Squash: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add squash, season with salt and pepper, cover, and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Cook the Turkey: In the same skillet, cook ground turkey, breaking apart, until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Add paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes more until vegetables soften.
- Combine and Finish: Return squash to skillet and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning if needed. Cook another 2–3 minutes to heat through. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Cut squash evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add a splash of broth if the skillet gets too dry.
- Substitute ground chicken or beef if desired.
- Top with Parmesan or feta for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Ground Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet, Butternut Squash and Turkey Recipes, Healthy Ground Turkey Squash Recipes, Chopped Butternut Squash Recipes, Easy Dinner Skillet Recipes