This ground turkey with butternut squash skillet is a delicious comforting and nourishing meal that is light and fresh. This recipe is a 30-minute one-pot skillet meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight!
Comfort foods doesn’t always translate to carb-heavy meals, and that’s what this ground turkey and butternut squash skillet is all about. A delicious, comforting and nourishing meal that is light and fresh!
Table of Contents
- what makes this recipe so incredibly amazing and a great option for your next meal
- what to make with butternut squash
- how to make ground turkey butternut squash skillet
- how to meal prep this ground turkey skillet
- recipe notes, substitutions and adaptations
- serving suggestions
- looking for more butternut squash dinner recipes?
- Ground Beef Butternut Squash Skillet
- Sausage Butternut Squash Skillet
- Quinoa Kale Butternut Squash Salad
- Ground Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet Recipe
Plus it’s butternut squash season and this easy and healthy skillet recipe is just one way you can incorporate more recipes with butternut squash into your cooking. Some other favorite recipes are; this warming Butternut Squash Turmeric Soup, this creamy Butternut Squash Risotto, this beautiful Sausage & Apples Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe that’s perfect for the holidays and Sausage Butternut Squash Skillet.
Before we get into the how’s, I am really excited to share why this ground turkey and butternut squash skillet recipe is so amazing.
what makes this recipe so incredibly amazing and a great option for your next meal
- I simply love this recipe because it has ground turkey, making this skillet meal a complete dinner packed with protein, veggies, carbs and lots of delicious flavors!
- This recipe is a one-pot meal completely done in a skillet. The minimal mess means more time to relax at the end of a busy work day.
- Incredibly versatile and easy to make substitutions. This means you can adapt to your family preference or accessibility (see notes below)
- This is a quick dinner recipe, completely done in less than 30 minutes.
- Freezes really well
- And it’s perfect for meal prepping!
what to make with butternut squash
Butternut squash is an incredibly versatile vegetable and easy to use in many recipes that require a pop of color and seasonality like in this Roasted Brussel and Butternut Squash Salad, in soups, and hearty risotto recipes.
You can stuff a butternut squash with sausage and apples, and even add to chili.
how to make ground turkey butternut squash skillet
- Heat oil in a cast iron skillet. Add ground turkey, onion, garlic and bell peppers and sauté until meat is no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Add cubed butternut squash and vegetable broth. Give it a mix so most of the butternut squash is submerged in broth. Cover and turn heat down to a medium low. Cook for about 12 minutes or until butternut sqush has soften.
- Remove from stovetop and top with gruyère cheese. Bake in 400F degreens oven for abut 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and serve.
RECIPE NOTE
Don’t worry about not having enough liquid as the butternut squash releases water.
how to meal prep this ground turkey skillet
This easy turkey skillet dinner is perfect for meal prep. The leftovers reheat really well, and they should last in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply store in individual containers and reheat when you are ready to eat.
recipe notes, substitutions and adaptations
- Use your cast iron skillet for this recipe because it distributes heat evenly allowing the food to cook equally and avoid burn spots or quickly drying out the meat.
- Whenever possible opt to buy healthier meats that are grass-fed, organic, from sustainable sources and humanly raised.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef, chicken, pork or a combination of these. Substitute for tofu if on a Vegan or Vegetarian diet, or remove it completely.
- Butternut squash can be substituted for other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, regular yellow potatoes, yuca, etc…
- Substitute Gruyere cheese for another type of cheese you like or remove the cheese if on a dairy-free and whole30 diet. You can always use vegan cheese as well.
- Always finish your recipes with a handful of fresh herbs. Parsley and cilantro are perfect for this recipe but sage work too.
- Make sure vegetable broth is whole30 compliant and if you are following this diet check out my whole30 turkey fennel stuffed cabbage rolls.
serving suggestions
When I want to make this stovetop turkey butternut squash skillet the star of the show, I pair it with seasonal sides such as apple sausage stuffing and maple roasted brussel sprouts and apple salad. You can also find me layering a scoop on top of rice or stuffing it into fall-flavored tacos, burritos, or enchiladas!
looking for more butternut squash dinner recipes?
Sausage Butternut Squash Skillet
Quinoa Kale Butternut Squash Salad
This recipe has been inspired by Primavera Kitchen’s recipe for Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet.
KITCHEN RECOMMENDATION
For this recipe I am using a Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 10.25″ (1-3/4 qt.), color Sea Salt. The enameled cast iron delivers superior heat distribution and retention.
Made In Cookware also has an enameled Cast Iron Skillet at a mid-price point with excellent quality (I personally own a few Made In pots, glasses and knives and love them all!)
At a lower price point is the classic Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet with Signature Teardrop Handle that is always a fantastic and durable option, but you must continue to season the skillet for best cooking results!
Ground Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 butternut squash, about 3 cups cubed
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3/4 cup gruyère cheese
- fresh cilantro and parsley
Instructions
- Heat oil in a cast iron skillet. Add ground turkey, onion, garlic and bell peppers and sauté until meat is no longer pink. Season wtih salt, pepper and paprika
- Add cubed butternut squash and vegetable broth. Give it a mix so most of the butternut squash is submerged in broth. Cover and turn heat down to a medium low. Cook for about 12 minutes or until butternut sqush has soften.
- Remove from stovetop and top with gruyère cheese. Bake in 400F degreens oven for abut 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and serve.
Notes
- Use your cast iron skillet for this recipe because it distributes heat evenly allowing the food to cook equally and avoid burn spots or quickly drying out the meat.
- Whenever possible opt to buy healthier meats that are grass-fed, organic, from sustainable sources and humanly raised.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef, chicken, pork or a combination of these. Substitute for tofu if on a Vegan or Vegetarian diet, or remove it completely.
- Butternut squash can be substituted for other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, regular yellow potatoes, yuca, etc…
- Substitute Gruyere cheese for another type of cheese you like or remove the cheese if on a dairy-free and whole30 diet. You can always use vegan cheese as well.
- Always finish your recipes with a handful of fresh herbs. Parsley and cilantro are perfect for this recipe but sage work too.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love this recipe. I’ve been making it for a year and the flavors are wonderful. The only substitution I make is to use mozzarella instead of gruyére.
That’s great Teresa, I am so happy to hear! xoxo
Roast butternut squash roast first or cut open to cube raw? Looking a forward to making this!
Cut open raw, cut into small cubes and cook alongside the ground turkey as per recipe instructions. Hope you’ll enjoy it Darlene. Please let me know!
My husband is the cook in this family and rarely likes anything I cook. I made this following the recipe exactly. He ate two plates!!!! First time ever he went back for seconds on a meal I made. Definitely a winner!!!! Thanks for a delicious way to use up butternut squash.
Oh that’s so wonderful Heather it’s a good feeling isn’t it? Happy to hear it, and thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback with me!
Absolutely wonderful! The cilantro is the perfect addition!
Happy to hear that you liked my ground turkey butternut squash meal Jamye, and thanks for taking the time to share your feedback!
This was amazing. I made it the night before without the parsley & gruyere cheese in the Dutch oven. I did roast the squash for about 30 mins. with olive oil, pepper and cumin. I did not use garlic.
The next night I simply let the Dutch oven come to room temp., freshly grate the cheese and reheat/bake. I added the parsley after it was done cooking. We gobbled it up. Thanks for a great and easy recipe.
Amazing, so happy to hear Tina! Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback!
So tasty! This recipe is a keeper! I also added zucchini and rice.
That’s great, love that you added zucchini and rice! Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback, it means a lot to me!
Will this work with frozen butternut squash?
Yes! keep in mind the butternut squash will release liquids, so don’t add too much! Enjoy and please let me know how it comes out for you!