9 Easy Ground Turkey and Orzo Recipes
These ground turkey and orzo recipes are perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
With dishes like turkey meatballs, turkey chili, and turkey tetrazzini, your family will be asking for seconds.
And with orzo recipes like Greek salad and shrimp scampi, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
So go ahead and give these a try!
9 Easy Ground Turkey and Orzo Recipes
You have so many options for what to do with ground turkey and orzo.
It’s like having a blank canvas and a box of crayons.
You can go in so many different directions, and the end result is always delicious.
Here are 9 easy ground turkey and orzo recipes:
Escarole and Orzo Soup with Turkey Parmesan Meatballs
When the weather gets chilly, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to make you feel better.
This escarole and orzo soup with turkey parmesan meatballs is the perfect recipe to cozy up with.
It’s packed with flavor and nutrients, and it’s easy to make.
You’ll need:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup orzo
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 head escarole, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, orzo, bread crumbs, Parmesan, egg, carrot, parsley, and garlic.
- Shape mixture into small meatballs.
- In a large pot over medium heat, bring chicken broth to a simmer.
- Add meatballs and escarole and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Ladle soup into bowls and enjoy!
Here are a few tips to make this recipe even better:
- For extra flavor, add a bay leaf to the pot while the soup is simmering.
- If you want a creamier soup, stir in some heavy cream or half and half after the soup has simmered for 10 minutes.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the turkey meatballs and add extra vegetables like diced tomatoes or zucchini.
Mexican Turkey Corn Bread Casserole
If you love Mexican flavors, you’ll go crazy for this turkey cornbread casserole!
It’s packed with ground turkey, orzo, chicken broth, milk, mexican cheese blend, salsa, taco seasoning, muffin mix, and creamed corn.
Plus, it only takes 30 minutes to make.
Canola oil is used to help brown the cornbread topping.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground turkey until browned.
- Add orzo, chicken broth, milk, mexican cheese blend, salsa, and taco seasoning.
- Stir until well combined.
- Pour mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, mix together muffin mix and creamed corn.
- Pour over top of turkey mixture.
- Drizzle canola oil over the top of the cornbread batter.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
3 Tips
- If you want a bit more of a crunch in your casserole, feel free to add some chopped green onions or jalapeños to the turkey mixture before baking.
- For extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking time.
- Serve casserole with sour cream and/or guacamole for an added touch of deliciousness!
Turkey Meatballs, Kale and Orzo Soup Recipe
Ah, the classic turkey meatball soup.
This dish is perfect for a winter day, or really any day that you’re feeling under the weather.
It’s hearty, filling, and packed with nutrients.
Plus, it’s pretty darn easy to make.
Here’s what you’ll need
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 cups chicken stock
Instructions:
- To make the soup, start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey and cook until browned.
- Then, add the carrot, parmesan cheese, and chicken stock.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
And that’s it!
This soup is best served with some crusty bread on the side.
Here are a few tips to make it even better
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
- If you’re not a fan of kale, feel free to swap it out for another green vegetable, like spinach or Swiss chard.
- Don’t have chicken stock on hand? No problem! You can use beef or vegetable stock instead.
Italian Wedding Soup
Cozy, comforting and nutritious, Italian Wedding Soup is a delicious dish perfect for any time of year.
This recipe is packed with healthy ingredients like ground turkey, orzo, chicken stock, and baby greens, and is finished off with a flavorful Parmesan cheese topping.
- To make this soup, start by browning the ground turkey in a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Then, add in the orzo, chicken stock, and bouillon cube and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, whisk together the egg and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
- Once the 10 minutes are up, add the egg mixture to the soup and stir gently to combine.
- Finally, add in the panko bread crumbs and olive oil and let the soup cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve the soup hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of oregano.
- Enjoy!
Here are a few tips to make this recipe even better
- If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cooked ground turkey or chicken in this recipe. Just be sure to add it in at the end so it doesn’t overcook.
- Feel free to swap out the orzo for another type of pasta, like ditalini or mini shells.
- If you want a heartier soup, you can add in some white beans or diced vegetables like carrots or celery.
Greek Turkey Meatballs With Lemon Orzo
Who can say no to a big plate of delicious meatballs?
These Greek turkey meatballs are served with a tangy lemon orzo and make for a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
- 1/4 cup spinach
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix together ground turkey, red wine vinegar, orzo pasta, feta cheese, and spinach.
- Form mixture into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
Cooking tips
- Try using ground chicken or lamb in place of the turkey.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meatballs with roasted vegetables.
- Add a green salad on the side to round out the meal.
Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet
This is the perfect easy weeknight meal. It’s healthy, flavorful, and comes together in one skillet.
Plus, cleanup is a breeze!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1/2 cup feta
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, orzo, chicken broth, egg, panko, feta, cumin, lemon juice, dill, kalamata olives, and parsley.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the turkey mixture and cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in cinnamon, coriander powder, and oregano.
- Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic.
- Cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Cooking Tips
- If you don’t have orzo on hand, you can use any small pasta.
- Feel free to add more vegetables to the dish, such as spinach or zucchini.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Turkey, Broccoli and Orzo Casserole
How about a warm and hearty casserole to fight off the chill?
This broccoli and turkey orzo dish is easy to make and can be on the table in about an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup orzo
- 1/2 cup havarti cheese
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 heads broccoli
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook orzo according to package instructions.
- In a large skillet, cook ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
- Chop broccoli into small florets.
- Add broccoli and havarti cheese to the turkey and orzo.
- Stir until cheese is melted.
- Pour mixture into a casserole dish.
- Top with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bread crumbs are golden brown.
Cooking tips
- If you want a little extra flavor, try adding some garlic to the turkey while it’s cooking.
- If you’re not a fan of broccoli, you could substitute with another veggie like spinach or kale.
- To make this dish ahead of time, simply cook the turkey and orzo and mix everything together. Then, store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
One Pan Ground Turkey and Broccoli Orzo
This creamy lemon pepper ground turkey and broccoli orzo dish is a one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
It’s also a great way to use up leftover ground turkey.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 cup orzo
- 1 tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
- Add the lemon pepper seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the orzo, dijon mustard, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through.
- Add the broccoli and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
Cooking tips
- If you don’t have leftovers, you can cook the ground turkey fresh for this recipe.
- Try substituting different vegetables for the broccoli, such as cauliflower or carrots.
- Add a little Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Mediterranean Feta & Ground Turkey Orzo
Whether you serve this dish as a side or a main, it’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Orzo is a type of pasta that is similar in shape to rice, and it pairs perfectly with the ground turkey and feta cheese in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup orzo
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large pot, cook the orzo according to the package instructions.
- While the orzo is cooking, brown the ground turkey in a separate pan.
- Once the orzo is cooked, drain it and add it to the pan with the ground turkey.
- Stir in the feta cheese, diced tomatoes, and cinnamon.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cooking Tips
- If you want a little extra flavor, try adding some garlic to the ground turkey while it’s cooking.
- If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you can leave it out of the recipe.
- If you want a heartier dish, you can add some chopped spinach to the orzo and ground turkey mixture.
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9 Easy Ground Turkey and Orzo Recipes
Ingredients
- Escarole and Orzo Soup with Turkey Parmesan Meatballs
- Mexican Turkey Corn Bread Casserole
- Turkey Meatballs, Kale and Orzo Soup Recipe
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Greek Turkey Meatballs With Lemon Orzo
- Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet
- Turkey, Broccoli and Orzo Casserole
- One Pan Ground Turkey and Broccoli Orzo
- Mediterranean Feta & Ground Turkey Orzo
Instructions
- Pick your favorite recipe from this article to serve for dinner tonight.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Enjoy in no time!
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.