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 built for busy weeks. I hope you enjoy!

A skillet of ground turkey, diced zucchini, tomato sauce, and ricotta topped with fresh basil and parmesan.
5 stars (10 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.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Ground Turkey Teriyaki Bowls (Easy 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. It's a weeknight family dinner that’s bound for the repeat list!
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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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 (37 ratings)

Ground Turkey Pasta (30-Minute Dinner!)

This quick, easy ground turkey pasta comes together quickly in under 30 minutes! Packed with fresh, wholesome veggies like zucchini and carrots that are "hidden" so they melt right into the Italian-style creamy sauce; you will love this easy dinner idea that actually makes ground turkey taste good!
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

This ground turkey enchiladas recipe is a delicious and healthy meal that’s easy to make and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or as a make ahead meal. It’s a time saving main course that uses just a handful of ingredients and is sure to be a new family favorite!
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, ground turkey, salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, black beans, cheese, enchilada sauce, tortillas.
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Close up overhead shot of a wooden spoon scooping pasta out of a pot.
5 stars (7 ratings)

Turkey Pot Pie Pasta (1-Pot Dinner!)

This comforting one-pot turkey pot pie pasta is loaded with juicy turkey, pasta, peas, carrots, celery, onion, and a savory homemade cream sauce; all cooked together for a cozy, simple, low effort meal. The perfect use for leftover turkey or ground turkey, it's an easy 30-minute dinner you'll want to make on repeat.
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 Dinner!)

My wholesome ground turkey sweet potato skillet is an easy dinner that’s so tasty you’ll want to put into your regular weeknight rotation. It’s ready in 30 minutes in one-pan with a quick, homemade honey chipotle sauce that takes it from ordinary to extraordinary!
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 + Green Bean Stir-Fry (20-Minute Dinner!)

My ground turkey and green beans stir-fry comes together in 20-minutes in one pan! With a quick sauce made of pantry staples (no specialty ingredients here!), you'll have a healthy dinner packed with flavor your whole family will love.
Ingredients: ground turkey, green beans, garlic, ginger, honey, chicken stock, lime juice (or rice wine vinegar), tamari, arrowroot powder, olive oil, and salt.
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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)

Easiest Ground Turkey Spaghetti (6-Ingredients)

The easiest ground turkey spaghetti sauce you'll find, this recipe combines 6 simple ingredients like garlicky marinara sauce and ground turkey for a flavor packed meal that's nearly effortless!
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, salt, ground turkey, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, spaghetti (or gluten-free spaghetti).
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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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5-ingredient free meatballs on zucchini noodles in white bowl with fork and striped napkin
4.89 stars (27 ratings)

5-Ingredient “Free” Meatballs (Gluten-Free + Egg-Free + Dairy-Free)

These easy meatballs are free of all the major allergens and made without egg, without breadcrumbs, and are gluten-free and dairy-free, too! Easy to make with ground turkey or ground beef, they are perfect to batch prep and serve with marinara or on their own.
Ingredients: ground turkey (or ground beef), onion, garlic, nutritional yeast, almond flour (or oat flour)
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Close up shot of turkey meatballs sprinkled with parsley on a white plate.
4.89 stars (9 ratings)

Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs (No Breadcrumbs!)

My easy baked gluten-free turkey meatballs are made with ground turkey, and oats or almond flour; so without any breadcrumbs. They make a quick weeknight meal, made ahead and frozen for anytime you need meatballs for dinner!
Ingredients: ground turkey, bell peppers, onions, oat flour (or almond flour), olive oil, garlic powder and salt.
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closeup view of turkey chili in a white bowl with chips and lime slices
4.92 stars (23 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

Slow cooker turkey sweet potato chili made with ground turkey, three beans, bell pepper, and warm spices. Hearty, filling, and ready with minimal prep.
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 (18 ratings)

Juicy Crockpot Turkey Meatballs (No Browning Required!)

Okay, so turkey meatballs have a reputation problem. They're either dry, or they require a whole production: browning, baking, or frying. My turkey meatballs do none of that! No egg, no breadcrumbs, and no pre-cooking. Instead juicy crockpot turkey meatballs that go straight into the slow cooker and come out tender every single time.
Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, parmesan and salt.
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sloppy joe sandwich on a white plate with leafy greens and striped blue napkin
4.67 stars (9 ratings)

Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

Made with ground turkey meat and a homemade sloppy joe sauce including tomato paste, ketchup, and simple spices, this wholesome slow cooker turkey sloppy joe recipe takes ground turkey from a basic protein to a delicious, craveable family meal!
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)

Crockpot Ground Turkey Tacos

My easy slow cooker turkey tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce & a few simple spices for the perfect, easy prep taco filling. Make tonight 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!)

My 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. Ground turkey meatballs go right in the and cook directly in the broth, no browning required. Works on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, too!
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)

Ground Turkey Pumpkin Chili (Instant Pot!)

My ground turkey pumpkin chili is so easy to make in the Instant Pot and comes together with less than 10-minutes of hands on time. Cozy, hearty, and just the thing for a fall dinner that everyone will love!
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)

Easiest 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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