Ground turkey is my weeknight dinner secret weapon since it’s budget-friendly, protein-packed, and endlessly adaptable. It’s quick to cook, works with whatever’s in the fridge, and holds up in cozy pastas, saucy skillets, and taco night favorites. These 20 dinners are my real-life go-tos, and each one simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeks. I hope you enjoy!

Close up shot of a pan filled with cooked pasta shells, ground turkey, and marinara on the gray background with a wooden spoon.
4.95 stars (38 ratings)

Ground Turkey Pasta (Healthy 30-Minute Dinner)

Ground turkey pasta simmered in a quick marinara sauce with hidden veggies. A healthy 30-minute dinner for busy family weeknights.
Ingredients: pasta shells, olive oil, salt, onion, zucchini, carrot, ground turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, cream cheese.
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An overhead shot of a white rectangular baking pan with cooked enchiladas topped with enchilada sauce, melted cheese, avocado slices, jalapeño slices, and cilantro on a white background with a white and blue stripped napkin, wooden spoon, and a bunch of a cilantro.
4.95 stars (19 ratings)

Ground Turkey Enchiladas

Baked in red enchilada sauce with lean ground turkey, black beans, and melty cheese, this make-ahead turkey enchilada casserole is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, ground turkey, salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, black beans, cheese, enchilada sauce, tortillas.
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A skillet of ground turkey, diced zucchini, tomato sauce, and ricotta topped with fresh basil and parmesan.
5 stars (11 ratings)

Ground Turkey Zucchini Skillet with Ricotta

This simple ground turkey zucchini skillet with ricotta is a healthy, one-pan dinner ready in 20 minutes. Lasagna flavors without the fuss and great for weeknights.
Ingredients: olive oil, ground turkey, salt, Italian seasoning, zucchini, garlic, marinara sauce, ricotta, Parmesan, and basil.
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A large pot filled with cooked ramen noodles, broccoli, red bell peppers, and green onions, garnished with sesame seeds, sits on a white countertop with bowls of toppings nearby.
4.80 stars (5 ratings)

Ground Turkey Teriyaki Bowls (One-Pan Dinner)

If you’re looking for a ground teriyaki turkey dinner, this is the fast, one-pan version I make on repeat! It’s a simple homemade teriyaki sauce tossed with ground turkey, crisp veggies, and noodles (or rice) with no marinating, no bottled sauce, no extra pans.
Ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, cornstarch, olive oil, ground turkey, salt, broccoli, red bell pepper, carrots, and noodles.
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A baked casserole in a white dish, filled with broccoli, rice, cheese, and ground meat, with a serving spoon resting inside. Shredded cheese and broccoli florets are scattered nearby.
4.86 stars (7 ratings)

Ground Turkey Rice Casserole (No Soup)

This turkey casserole gives you that baked, bubbly comfort you want, but with simple ingredients and no canned soup in sight. Ground turkey (or leftover turkey works, too), broccoli, rice, and a quick homemade cheddar sauce come together in under an hour.
Ingredients: rice, turkey, broccoli, olive oil, butter, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, flour, broth, whole milk, and cheddar cheese.
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Overhead image of a white enameled dutch oven with spaghetti, with tomato sauce and ground turkey. The dutch oven is surrounded by a plate of cooked spaghetti, a bowl of parmesan cheese, a wooden bowl with salt, fresh herbs, and a white and blue striped tea towel.
5 stars (9 ratings)

Easy Ground Turkey Spaghetti (6-Ingredients)

The easiest ground turkey spaghetti sauce, this recipe combines 6 simple ingredients like garlicky marinara sauce and ground turkey for a flavor packed meal that's nearly effortless! Includes stovetop and slow cooker instructions.
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, salt, ground turkey, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, spaghetti (or gluten-free spaghetti).
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Close up overhead shot of a wooden spoon scooping pasta out of a pot.
5 stars (7 ratings)

Turkey Pasta Casserole (One-Pot)

Creamy turkey pasta casserole with all the flavors of pot pie in a cozy, one-pot dinner ready in 30 minutes. Great for ground or leftover turkey.
Ingredients: olive oil, butter, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, ground turkey (or cooked turkey), salt, Italian seasoning, pasta, chicken broth, milk, frozen peas.
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Overhead shot of tacos on parchement paper squares.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Ground Turkey Tacos (with Corn Salsa)

These ground turkey tacos come together in 20 minutes and are topped with a fresh corn salsa for a healthy, family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: olive oil, ground turkey, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder, salt, tomatillo salsa, corn tortillas, corn, red onion, lime juice, cilantro.
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Top down view of a ground turkey sweet potato skillet in a blue and black pan with fresh herbs on a white background.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (30-Minute)

Easy ground turkey sweet potato skillet with spinach, melty cheese, and a homemade chipotle honey sauce. A healthy one-pan dinner in 30 minutes.
Ingredients: ground turkey, sweet potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, shredded cheese (traditional or dairy-free), baby spinach, chipotle honey vinaigrette and salt.
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top down view of a white plate filled with a 20-minute ground turkey and green bean skillet with a striped green napkin on the side
5 stars (5 ratings)

Ground Turkey and Green Beans Stir-Fry (20-Minute)

Easy ground turkey and green beans stir-fry in a honey-ginger-garlic sauce made from pantry staples. A healthy one-pan dinner ready in 20 minutes.
Ingredients: ground turkey, green beans, garlic, ginger, honey, chicken stock, lime juice (or rice wine vinegar), tamari, cornstarch, olive oil, and salt.
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A large skillet filled with avocado, ground turkey, and chopped vegetables.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Ground Turkey Taco Skillet (with Beans and Corn)

This ground turkey taco skillet comes together in 20-minutes with black beans, corn, and pantry spices for a protein-packed weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: ground turkey, onion, garlic powder, cumin, canned black beans, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, frozen corn, olive oil and salt.
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A bowl of zucchini noodles topped with meatballs in tomato sauce, garnished with parsley and parmesan, with a fork and striped napkin beside it.
4.89 stars (27 ratings)

Turkey Meatballs (No Egg, No Breadcrumbs)

Easy baked turkey meatballs with no egg or breadcrumbs. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and made with 5 simple ingredients for a freezer-friendly dinner.
Ingredients: ground turkey (or ground beef), onion, salt, granulated garlic, nutritional yeast, almond flour (or oat flour), olive oil, and marinara sauce.
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closeup view of turkey chili in a white bowl with chips and lime slices
4.80 stars (24 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili (with Sweet Potato)

Easy slow cooker turkey chili with ground turkey, sweet potato, three beans, bell pepper, and warm spices. A hearty, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and salt.
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white bowl of crockpot turkey meatballs on blue background with striped napkin
5 stars (19 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs (in Marinara)

Easy slow cooker turkey meatballs in marinara with ground turkey, spinach, basil, and parmesan. A healthy, dump-and-go weeknight dinner over pasta.
Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, parmesan and salt.
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A plate with a sloppy joe sandwich, fresh greens, and tortilla chips. A fork and striped cloth napkin are nearby.
4.67 stars (9 ratings)

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Easy slow cooker turkey sloppy joes with ground turkey, onion, bell pepper, and a homemade sauce. A healthy, family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onions, red bell peppers, water and salt.
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two slow cooker turkey tacos on a white plate with cilantro and lime wedges
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos (Ground Turkey)

Easy slow cooker turkey tacos with ground turkey, tomato sauce, and a simple homemade spice blend. A hands-off weeknight dinner for taco night.
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato sauce, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, granulated garlic powder, paprika and salt
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5 stars (18 ratings)

Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)

This easy turkey meatball soup is loaded with vegetables, packed with protein, and the kind of cozy one-pot dinner that gets even better as leftovers.
Ingredients: ground turkey, onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, stock, spinach, Italian seasoning, olive oil, salt, lemon, and diced tomatoes.
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5 stars (4 ratings)

Turkey Pumpkin Chili (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)

Cozy turkey pumpkin chili with ground turkey, kidney beans, and pumpkin puree. An easy fall dinner for the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop.
Ingredients: ground turkey, pumpkin puree, chicken stock, tomato sauce, bell pepper, onion, cumin and other spices
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A skillet filled with a ground turkey, beans, corn, and ground meat dish, topped with melted cheese, avocado slices, sour cream, cilantro, and chopped green onions. A wooden spoon rests inside.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Easy Ground Turkey Skillet + 20 More Ground Turkey Recipes

Developed and tested by A woman with long blonde hair, smiling, holds and pours a bottle of oil in a modern kitchen setting.Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Solve weeknight dinner tonight with this quick turkey taco skillet! Made with simple pantry ingredients like ground turkey, it’s a lighter meal on its own or can be used as a delicious taco or burrito filling or delectable nacho topping. Plus 20+ easy ground turkey recipes.
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 pound 93% lean dark meat ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
  • 15- ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15- ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen defrosted corn

Optional Serving Suggestions:

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, ¼ teaspoon salt, and stir to combine. Cook for 3 minutes, or until the onions soften, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground turkey, breaking up with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, cumin, and garlic powder. Cook until the turkey is browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the black beans, tomatoes, corn, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, stirring to combine. Turn to medium low and simmer for 5 minutes for the flavors to combine.
  • Sprinkle with cheese if using, then serve with optional serving suggestions if desired.

Notes

Nutrition information calculated without the optional toppings.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 4), Calories: 331kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 714mg, Potassium: 804mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 566IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 86mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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