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Healthy Ground Turkey Orzo Skillet - Easy Family Dinner Recipe

This ground turkey orzo skillet is a healthy, family-friendly dinner that combines lean ground turkey with wholesome orzo pasta and colorful vegetables in one pan. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile recipe works with stove-top, Instant Pot, or Dutch oven cooking methods.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Push the turkey to one side of the pan and add the diced onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Sauté until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the uncooked orzo to the pan and stir to coat with the oil and turkey juices. Pour in the chicken broth and marinara sauce, then add Italian seasoning and paprika. Stir everything together.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  5. If using cheese, sprinkle mozzarella over the top, cover for 2-3 minutes to melt. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Notes

For kid-friendly meals, chop vegetables finely or puree them. Recipe works with Instant Pot (4 min pressure cook) or Dutch oven oven-finish method. Freezes well for up to 3 months.