Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet – High-Protein One-Pan Dinner with Low-Carb Veggies
Samantha
This Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is a quick, high-protein dinner made with lean turkey, zucchini, bell peppers, and savory spices. It’s gluten-free, low-carb, and ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for meal prep or a healthy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Meal Prep
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 280 kcal
- 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean
- 2 medium zucchini chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, no salt added
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the turkey: Add the ground turkey. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked—about 6–8 minutes.
Add tomatoes and zucchini: Stir in the diced tomatoes and chopped zucchini. Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and the flavors meld.
Taste and serve: Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot on its own or with cauliflower rice or quinoa.
Secret Tips for Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
1. Brown the ground turkey for deeper flavor: Before adding zucchini or seasoning, let the lean ground turkey cook undisturbed for a few minutes so it browns and caramelizes. This step builds a richer base for your high-protein one-pan dinner.
2. Use smaller zucchini for better texture: Smaller, firmer zucchini have fewer seeds and hold up better in a skillet meal. They won’t turn mushy, which is key to getting the best out of your low-carb veggie skillet.
3. Add zucchini at the right time: Toss the zucchini in only after the turkey is nearly done cooking. Overcooking zucchini ruins the texture and flavor of this one-pan dinner, especially when reheating for meal prep.
4. Spice it up with pantry seasonings: Elevate your skillet with garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or Italian seasoning. These spices bring out the savory notes in both the ground turkey and zucchini, making it taste like more than just a healthy dinner.
5. Finish with a hit of acid or cheese: A quick splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of feta or parmesan at the end balances the richness of the dish and enhances the fresh flavor of the turkey zucchini skillet.
6. Don’t overcrowd the pan: Use a wide skillet to give your ingredients space to cook evenly. Crowding causes steaming instead of browning, which affects the overall texture of this high-protein low-carb dinner.
7. Make it meal prep ready: Let the dish cool completely before packing into containers. This keeps the zucchini from getting soggy and helps preserve the flavors throughout the week. Ideal for quick, healthy lunches!Keyword 30_minute_turkey_zucchini_dinner, easy_lean_turkey_skillet_recipe, gluten_free_turkey_zucchini_skillet, ground_turkey_zucchini_skillet, healthy_turkey_zucchini_dinner, low_carb_turkey_zucchini_meal, low_fat_turkey_zucchini_meal, one_pan_ground_turkey_recipe, quick_ground_turkey_and_veggies, turkey_zucchini_high_protein_dinner
