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A serving of lightened-up ground turkey meal in a bowl, showing lean meat and vegetables.

Mediterranean Turkey & Orzo Skillet

This Mediterranean Turkey & Orzo Skillet is a healthy and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Lean ground turkey, orzo pasta, and a vibrant medley of vegetables come together in a savory broth.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (93/7 or 99/1)
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • ½ cup whole wheat orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup fresh spinach
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (low-fat optional)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground turkey until no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
  • Push turkey aside and sauté chopped onion and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  • Stir in red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives and cook for 3 minutes until bell pepper softens.
  • Add orzo, broth, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until orzo is al dente and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in fresh spinach for 1-2 minutes until it wilts.
  • Remove from heat, then gently fold in crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
  • Serve immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Notes

This dish is versatile; feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or eggplant. Adjust spice levels to your preference by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. Leftovers are great for meal prep!