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Ground Turkey Parmesan Skillet - A Cozy, Weeknight-Friendly Classic

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Ground turkey (1 to 1.25 pounds, 93% lean recommended)
  • Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
  • Yellow onion (1 small, finely diced)
  • Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, 1/4 teaspoon)
  • Italian seasoning (1 to 1.5 teaspoons)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • Tomato paste (1 tablespoon)
  • Marinara sauce (2 to 2.5 cups; choose a brand you like)
  • Low-sodium chicken broth or water (1/4 cup, as needed)
  • Fresh basil (a small handful, chopped; or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • Mozzarella cheese (1.5 cups shredded)
  • Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup finely grated)
  • Panko breadcrumbs (1/2 cup)
  • Butter (1 tablespoon, melted; or use olive oil)
  • Optional add-ins: baby spinach (2 cups), cherry tomatoes (1 cup halved), red bell pepper (1 small, diced)
  • For serving: cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread

Method
 

  1. Warm the pan. Set a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can finish under a quick broil using a baking dish later.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Add diced onion with a pinch of salt. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the turkey. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook 5–7 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute to concentrate the flavor.
  4. Add the sauce. Pour in marinara and a splash of broth or water to thin slightly. Simmer 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is saucy but not watery. Stir in chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  5. Fold in optional veggies. If using spinach, stir in and let it wilt for 1–2 minutes. Bell pepper or tomatoes can go in before simmering the sauce so they soften.
  6. Make the crunchy topping. In a small bowl, mix panko, Parmesan, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. The mixture should be evenly moistened and clump slightly.
  7. Add the cheese. Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the saucy turkey. Top with the panko-Parmesan mixture, spreading to cover most of the surface.
  8. Melt and crisp. If your skillet is oven-safe, transfer to the top rack and broil 1–3 minutes, watching closely, until the topping is golden and the cheese is bubbling. If not oven-safe, cover the pan for 2–3 minutes to melt the cheese, then toast the breadcrumb mixture separately in a small pan and sprinkle over the top.
  9. Finish and serve. Let the skillet rest 3–5 minutes. Garnish with extra basil. Serve over pasta, spooned on garlic toast, or with a green salad on the side.