Description
This Ground Turkey and Butternut Squash recipe is a hearty, nutritious meal combining lean ground turkey with the natural sweetness of butternut squash. Enhanced with smoked paprika and creamy Gruyère cheese, it’s a comforting one-pan dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, this recipe also offers flexible substitutions, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup vegetable broth
Cheese and Garnish
- ¾ cup grated Gruyère cheese
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté Aromatics: Warm up the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for a few minutes until it becomes soft and fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped red bell pepper, continuing to sauté until the vegetables start to soften.
- Cook the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season the mixture with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking until the turkey is fully browned and no longer pink inside.
- Add Butternut Squash and Simmer: Fold in the peeled and cubed butternut squash, then pour in the vegetable broth. Stir to combine, making sure most of the squash is submerged in the liquid. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it gently simmer for about 12 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Once the squash is soft, remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the grated Gruyère cheese evenly over the top. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F and bake for about 5 minutes, just until the cheese melts and bubbles lightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley or cilantro over the dish. Serve hot, directly from the skillet, and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- You can swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, beef, or tofu to suit your preferences.
- Sweet potatoes or carrots are excellent alternatives to butternut squash if needed.
- If you don’t have Gruyère cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, or dairy-free cheese can be used instead.
- Fresh herbs brighten the dish—parsley and cilantro are recommended, but sage pairs wonderfully with squash as well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 481
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 527mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: ground turkey, butternut squash, healthy dinner, one-pan meal, Gruyère, smoked paprika, comfort food
