Description
This Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet with Ricotta is a wholesome and flavorful dish featuring lean ground turkey, tender zucchini, and a rich ricotta cheese topping. Infused with Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, it offers a balanced, low-fat meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
Vegetables
- 3 medium zucchini, diced (about 4 cups)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan, freshly grated
Pantry
- 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon no-salt-added Italian seasoning
- 1 ¼ cups good-quality marinara sauce (about a 15.5 ounce jar)
Herbs and Spices
- 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 kosher salt, and Italian seasoning. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and mostly cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the turkey from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Zucchini: To the same pan, add remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil, diced zucchini, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the zucchini is just tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring frequently to evenly distribute the garlic flavor.
- Add the Sauce: Return the cooked turkey to the pan with the zucchini. Pour in the marinara sauce and simmer everything together for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick during simmering.
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: While the sauce simmers, combine ricotta cheese, freshly grated Parmesan, and finely chopped basil in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Spoon the turkey and zucchini skillet onto plates and top with the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using for a little heat. Enjoy your flavorful and nutritious meal!
Notes
- Using 93% lean ground turkey keeps the dish lower in fat while maintaining protein content.
- You can substitute zucchini with yellow squash if preferred.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Fresh basil adds a bright herbal note but can be substituted with dried basil in a pinch.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
