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Quick Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet with Marinara

ground turkey zucchini skillet - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan meal made with ground turkey, zucchini, and marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this skillet comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb / 450g), sliced into half-moons or quarter rounds
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) marinara sauce
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the veggies: Dice the onion into small, even pieces. Slice the zucchini into half-moons or quarter rounds, about ½-inch thick. Mince the garlic cloves.
  2. Heat the pan: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and let it shimmer, about 30 seconds.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion to the hot pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Brown the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pan. Break it up with a wooden spoon into crumbles. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to get a nice brown sear, then stir and continue cooking until no longer pink. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
  5. Add the zucchini: Toss in the sliced zucchini. Stir everything together so the zucchini gets coated in the pan juices. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften but still has a bit of crunch.
  6. Pour in the marinara: Add 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce and the optional ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it bubble for 3-4 minutes to meld flavors and finish cooking the zucchini.
  7. Taste and adjust: Taste and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
  8. Serve: Remove from heat. Spoon into bowls or onto plates. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan; use a 12-inch skillet or larger. Let the zucchini cook just until tender with a slight bite (about 5-6 minutes total). Season as you go for layered flavor. The 3-4 minute simmer at the end is crucial for thickening the sauce. If you forget onions, a shallot works well.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey, zucchini, marinara, quick dinner, weeknight meal, one-pan, healthy, gluten-free

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/quick-ground-turkey-zucchini-skillet-with-marinara/