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!

Ground turkey with butternut squash in a skillet. Fresh cilantro on the table. A hand cloth and wooden spoon

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.

ingredients for a recipe on a wooden board. Ground turkey in a small white bowl. Fresh bunch of cilantro. A whole butternut squash, an onion and garlic. A block of cheese.

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.

ground turkey and butternut squash skillet, topped with gruyere cheese and fresh cilantro

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.

ground turkey and butternut squash skillet, topped with gruyere cheese and fresh cilantro

recipe notes, substitutions and adaptations

  1. 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.
  2. Whenever possible opt to buy healthier meats that are grass-fed, organic, from sustainable sources and humanly raised.
  3. 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.
  4. Butternut squash can be substituted for other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, regular yellow potatoes, yuca, etc…
  5. 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.
  6. Always finish your recipes with a handful of fresh herbs. Parsley and cilantro are perfect for this recipe but sage work too.
  7. 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!

Ground turkey with butternut squash in a skillet. Fresh cilantro on the table. A hand cloth and wooden spoon

looking for more butternut squash dinner recipes?

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!

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ground turkey butternut squash recipe in an iron skillet
4.63 from 24 votes

Ground Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet

by Silvia Dunnirvine
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!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 22 minutes
Total: 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

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

  1. 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.
  2. Whenever possible opt to buy healthier meats that are grass-fed, organic, from sustainable sources and humanly raised.
  3. 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.
  4. Butternut squash can be substituted for other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, regular yellow potatoes, yuca, etc…
  5. 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.
  6. Always finish your recipes with a handful of fresh herbs. Parsley and cilantro are perfect for this recipe but sage work too.

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 1100mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 21317IU | Vitamin C: 79mg | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Keyword: Ground Turkey, Ground Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet, Ground Turkey Recipes, Skillet Meals
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!

Hi! I’m Silvia.

My goal is to make cooking simple and enjoyable.

Garden in the Kitchen is full of easy and balanced recipes for busy families. Classics get a healthier twist with additions of veggies or alternative ingredients.

I hope my recipes will inspire you to cook more home meals and above all have fun in the kitchen!

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72 Comments

  1. 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.

    1. 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!

  2. 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.

    1. 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!