20 Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Recipes

If you’re looking for some easy ground turkey and zucchini recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table fast.

From enchiladas and tacos to pasta and pizza, there’s something for everyone in this collection.

Read Also: Zucchini Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Zucchini Meals

20 Easy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Recipes

When you have some ground turkey and a few zucchini in your fridge, you have the makings of a delicious meal.

Whether you’re in the mood for something healthy or something hearty, there’s a ground turkey and zucchini recipe out there for you.

Here are 20 of the best ground turkey and zucchini recipes:

3-Ingredient Low Carb Green Chili Turkey Skillet

I really enjoy the nights when I can come home from work, and dinner is already taken care of.

This 3-Ingredient Low Carb Green Chili Turkey Skillet is the perfect solution for a busy weeknight.

And, it’s low carb, so you can enjoy it without feeling guilty.

My best tips for this recipe are to make sure that you cook the ground turkey until it is browned and no longer pink.

This will ensure that it is cooked all the way through.

I also like to add a little bit of garlic powder to the turkey while it is cooking for some extra flavor.

As for substitutes, you could definitely use ground beef in place of the ground turkey.

I would recommend using a lean ground beef so that it is not too greasy. You could also use chicken in this recipe.

If you do use chicken, I would recommend cooking it ahead of time and shredding it before adding it to the skillet.

If you want to add some extra flavor to this dish, you could try adding some cumin to the ground turkey while it is cooking.

Additionally, you could top the dish with some shredded cheese and/or sour cream before serving.

Juicy Gluten-Free Turkey Burgers

If you’re in the mood for a spicy and juicy burger, this is the recipe for you!

These gluten-free turkey burgers are packed with flavor and sure to be a hit at your next cookout.

Here are a few tips to make the perfect burger:

• Be sure to use ground turkey that is at least 85% lean. Otherwise, your burgers will be too greasy.
• Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater. This will help to keep the burgers from being too wet.
• Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
• To add more flavor, try adding a teaspoon of your favorite spice blend to the burger mixture.
• These burgers can be cooked on the stovetop, in a cast iron skillet, or on the grill. If cooking on the grill, be sure to oil the grates well to prevent sticking.
• Serve the burgers on toasted gluten-free buns with your favorite toppings. I like to use avocado, tomato, and red onion.

Enjoy!

Easy Chili

I always use my biggest pan for a meal like this easy chili recipe.

That way I can have leftovers for later in the week, or freeze them for an even quicker meal next month.

This dish is packed with flavor, and really satisfies on a cold winter night.

1. I start by cooking the ground turkey in the pan. You could use beef, but I prefer the leaner turkey.
2. Once that’s cooked through, I add in diced zucchini, a large can of tomato sauce, and a can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed). I like to use fresh tomato sauce when it’s in season, but the canned version works just fine for this recipe. To spice things up, I add in a diced chile pepper. If you don’t like things too spicy, you can leave this out.
3. Let the chili simmer for about 30 minutes, or until everything is hot and bubbly.
4. Serve with shredded cheese on top, and a side of cornbread or crackers. Enjoy!

Elimination Meatballs with Zucchini

Simple and pure ingredients are all it takes to make these flavorful and healthy meatballs!

This recipe uses ground turkey, zucchini, summer squash, and sweet potato as the main ingredients, making it a perfect meal for those on a paleo or Whole30 diet.

And because all of the vegetables are grated, there’s no need to worry about them falling apart during cooking.

For extra flavor, feel free to add in your favorite seasonings.

I like to keep it simple with just salt and pepper, but you could also add in some garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.

If you want a bit of sweetness, a touch of honey or maple syrup would be delicious as well.

These meatballs can be baked, grilled, or pan-fried.

If baking, I recommend using a non-stick silicone baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

If pan-frying, I suggest using avocado oil or olive oil to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or on top of spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for a complete paleo/Whole30 meal.

Southwest Taco Skillet Freezer Meal

I started making healthy freezer meals when I started my fitness journey and I haven’t looked back since!

These Southwest Taco Skillet Freezer Meals are perfect for those busy weeknights when you don’t have time to cook a healthy meal from scratch.

And best of all, they only take 30 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 8 taco shells

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned.
2. Add the zucchini, pinto beans, and jalapeño and cook for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Divide the mixture evenly among the taco shells.
4. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
5. Enjoy!

Tips:

• To make this recipe vegan, simply substitute the ground turkey for crumbled tofu or tempeh.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, use corn tortillas in place of the taco shells.

Easy, Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Perfect for a fast weekday meal, this cheesy zucchini bake comes together in just 30 minutes.

Ground turkey, zucchini, and sweet corn are layered with pasta sauce and topped with a Mexican cheese blend.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a bowl, mix together ground turkey, zucchini, sweet corn, and pasta sauce.
3. Pour mixture into a baking dish.
4. Top with Mexican cheese blend.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.

Tips:

• Try serving this dish with a side of brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
• If you’re looking for a bit more of a kick, add in some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture.

Healthy Turkey Meatballs

How about a crowd-pleasing appetizer (or main dish!) that is also healthy?

These zucchini turkey meatballs are bursting with flavor, yet low in calories and fat.

Zucchini and ground turkey are the perfect combination – the zucchini keeps the meatballs moist, while the turkey provides a lean protein option.

These meatballs are delicious on their own, or served with your favorite pasta or sauce.

You could even get creative and turn them into mini meatball sliders!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, zucchini, egg, onion flake, oregano, and garlic. Mix well.
3. Shape mixture into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
4. Place meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Tips:

• If you’re short on time, you can cook the meatballs in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat until browned all over and cooked through.
• For extra flavor, try adding some shredded Parmesan cheese to the mixture before shaping into balls.

Chunky Garden Sloppy Joes

Who can say no to a good old sloppy joe?

This chunky garden version is healthy and delicious, perfect for a summer barbecue!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 4 slices whole grain bread
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 cup pasta sauce

Instructions:

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned.
2. Add the zucchini, bread, tomato, onion, and pasta sauce to the pan.
3. Stir until everything is evenly mixed and heated through.
4. Serve on whole grain buns and enjoy!

Tips:

• For a vegetarian version of this recipe, simply omit the ground turkey.
• If you don’t have any pasta sauce on hand, you can use tomato soup or tomato sauce instead.
• Add some shredded cheese on top for an extra cheesy sloppy joe!

Healthy Twist Lasagna

Enjoy the Italian classic dish of lasagna, without all the guilt!

This dish uses ground turkey and zucchini in place of traditional beef and promises to be just as tasty.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 9 lasagna noodles

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground turkey until browned.
3. Drain any excess grease and remove from heat.
4. In a bowl, mix cooked turkey, grated zucchini, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, and 1/2 cup pasta sauce.
5. Set mixture aside.
6. To assemble, spread 1/2 cup pasta sauce in the bottom of an 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top of sauce and spread 1/3 of the turkey mixture over noodles.
8. Repeat layering twice more.
9. Top with remaining 3 noodles and 1/2 cup pasta sauce.
10. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
11. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
12. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until lasagna is bubbly and slightly browned on top.
13. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Taco Zucchini Boats

This is such a fun way to serve taco fillings while getting in some extra veggies!

These zucchini boats are stuffed with all of your favorite taco toppings and are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced onion

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until browned. Drain any excess fat and remove from heat.
3. In a large bowl, mix together cooked turkey, cheese, taco seasoning, jalapeno, tomatoes, and onion.
4. Spoon mixture evenly into zucchini halves.
5. Place zucchini boats on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
6. Serve with sour cream or salsa, if desired. Enjoy!

Ground Turkey Spaghetti

I don’t know about you, but as a busy mom, I am always looking for recipes that are both healthy and easy to make.

This ground turkey spaghetti hits both of those marks!

It is a simple dish that only requires a few ingredients, and it can easily be made in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• 1/2 pound spaghetti
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• olive oil
• 1 jar pasta sauce

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Add the ground turkey and cook until it is browned.
4. Add the shredded zucchini, garlic powder, onion powder, and pasta sauce to the pan and stir until everything is mixed together and heated through.
5. Serve the sauce over the cooked pasta.

3 Tips:

• If you want a little extra flavor, you can add some Parmesan cheese to the top of each serving.
• This dish can also be made with ground beef or Italian sausage if you prefer.
• To make things even easier, you can use pre-shredded zucchini that you can find in the produce section of most supermarkets

Lasagna Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Once the cooler weather hits, I’m all about comfort food.

And these lasagna-stuffed zucchini boats definitely fit the bill!

They’re packed with all the flavors of classic lasagna, but lighter since they’re made with lean ground turkey and lots of veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 large zucchini, halved lengthwise
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
3. Add in zucchini halves and continue cooking until tender, about 5 minutes more.
4. In a medium bowl, mix together cheeses and basil.
5. Spoon into zucchini boats, then top with marinara sauce.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!

Tips:

• To make this recipe even easier, you can use pre-made marinara sauce instead of making your own. Just look for a good quality sauce that doesn’t have too much sugar added to it.
• If you have trouble getting the zucchini boats to stay upright while baking, try slicing a thin layer off the bottom of each one so they sit flat on the baking sheet.
• These lasagna-stuffed zucchini boats can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if they’re coming straight from the fridge.

Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe

These stuffed peppers combine ground turkey, tons of vegetables, and pepper jack cheese into one delicious and satisfying dish!

Plus, they’re easy to make and can be prepped ahead of time.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, zucchini, pepper jack cheese, tomato, bell pepper, onion, and garlic.
3. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Scoop mixture into bell peppers.
5. Place bell peppers in a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

Here are three tips for making the perfect stuffed peppers:

• Make sure to chop the vegetables finely so that they cook through properly.
• If you’re short on time, you can cook the ground turkey and vegetables ahead of time and then stuff the peppers right before baking.
• And if you want a little extra cheesy goodness, top the peppers with some shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese during the last few minutes of baking.

Turkey Taco Meat Recipe

This easy, healthy turkey taco meat recipe is perfect for meal prep!

Simply cook the ground turkey and veggies, then portion into containers with your favorite taco toppings for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.

You’ll need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned.
2. Add the zucchini, carrot, taco seasoning, and olive oil to the pan. Stir to combine.
3. Add the bell pepper and onion.
4. Cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve the turkey taco meat on whole wheat tortillas or lettuce cups, topped with your favorite toppings like avocado, salsa, and sour cream.

3 tips:

• Try serving this turkey taco meat over a bed of greens for a lighter option.
• Add a can of black beans or kidney beans to the pan for extra protein and fiber.
• For a fun twist, blend the cooked veggies together with some chicken broth to make a quick and easy enchilada sauce to pour over your tacos!

Pizza Zucchini Boats

Sometimes you crave a tasty, gooey, comforting pizza but you don’t want all the carbs that come along with it.

Introducing pizza zucchini boats!

These are fun to make, and you can customize them however you like.

Best of all, they are a healthier alternative to traditional pizza.

You’ll need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 large zucchini
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds in the center, leaving about 1/4-inch thick zucchini boats.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until browned.
4. Drain any excess fat and remove from heat.
5. Stir in garlic and oregano.
6. Spoon turkey mixture into zucchini boats and top with shredded mozzarella and marinara sauce.
7. Drizzle with olive oil.
8. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If you want a little crunch in your zucchini boats, feel free to add some chopped-up bacon or crumbled-up Italian sausage before baking.
• Not a fan of turkey? No problem! You can substitute ground beef, lamb, or chicken instead.
• Don’t like things too spicy? Omit the oregano or use Italian seasoning for a more mild flavor profile.

Zucchini Lasagna

If you’re up for some comforting, warm, and cheesy lasagna but want to lighten it up a bit, this zucchini lasagna is for you!

In this dish, we substitute traditional pasta noodles with thinly sliced zucchini.

The rest of the ingredients are pretty classic: ground turkey, mozzarella, cottage cheese, and tomato sauce seasoned with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. In a large skillet, cook ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
4. Drain grease.
5. Arrange half of the zucchini slices in the bottom of the baking dish.
6. Top with meat sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the cottage cheese.
7. Repeat layering.
8. Cover with aluminum foil.
9. Bake for 30 minutes.
10. Remove foil; bake an additional 10 minutes, or until lasagna is lightly browned on top and bubbly.
11. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

3 Tips:

• To save time, look for precut or presliced zucchini in the produce section of your grocery store.
• If you can’t find lean ground turkey, feel free to substitute with ground beef or Italian sausage instead.
• You can also use a combination of different cheeses in this recipe such as Ricotta or Parmesan Cheese.

Turkey-Zucchini Meatloaf

When simplicity meets comfort food, you get this amazing Turkey-Zucchini Meatloaf recipe!

See Also: Turkey Meatloaf without Breadcrumbs

It’s perfect for a family dinner and only requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, grated
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients until well combined.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and spread into an even layer.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until cooked through. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

3 Tips:

• If you want a little extra flavor, try adding in some shredded Parmesan cheese to the mixture.
• For a fun twist, top the meatloaf with mashed potatoes before baking.
• Leftovers reheat well, so make sure to save some for later!

Paleo Zucchini and Turkey Skillet Dinner

A quick and easy paleo dinner – perfect for busy weeknights!

This Paleo Zucchini and Turkey Skillet Dinner is full of flavor and healthy ingredients.

You’ll need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 zucchini, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned.
2. Add the zucchini, basil, olive oil, tomato, onion, and garlic to the pan.
3. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
4. Serve and enjoy!

3 Tips:

• To make this dish extra flavorful, try adding some dried herbs to the ground turkey before cooking it.
• If you’re in a hurry, you can use jarred tomato sauce instead of fresh diced tomatoes. Just be sure to check the ingredient list to make sure it’s paleo-friendly!
• Need some extra protein? Add a handful of cooked bacon or sausage to this dish before serving.

Spiralized Zucchini Lasagna Casserole

This casserole is one of those classic, no fuss, homey dishes that everyone loves.

It’s hearty and filling, but still light and packed with veggies.

Best of all, it’s easy to make!

You can even make it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 3-4 zucchini, spiralized
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 8oz mushrooms, diced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until browned.
3. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
4. Spiralize the zucchini and place in a colander.
5. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out some of the moisture.
6. In a large bowl, mix together the turkey, zucchini, ricotta, mozzarella, mushrooms, marinara sauce, vegetable oil, and Italian seasoning.
7. Pour into a 9×13 inch baking dish and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Summer Bolognese

This recipe is packed full of fresh pasta, tomatoes, basil, zucchini, white wine, and ground turkey.

All of your favorite summer flavors, in one dish!

It’s healthy and delicious, and best of all, it’s easy to make.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1/2 pound fettuccine
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the fettuccine according to package instructions.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
5. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned.
6. Add the zucchini, tomatoes, white wine, and basil.
7. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Add the cooked fettuccine to the pot and toss to combine. Serve warm.

Tip: If you don’t have ground turkey on hand, you can use ground beef or chicken instead.

Related:

• 9 Easy Ground Turkey and Orzo Recipes
• 17 Easy Ground Turkey and Quinoa Recipes
• 9 Easy Ground Turkey and Shrimp Recipes
• 10 Easy Ground Turkey and Tortellini Recipes
• 10 Easy Ground Turkey and Tomato Recipes
• 10 Easy Ground Turkey and Yellow Squash Recipes
• 10 Easy Ground Turkey and Italian Sausage Recipes
• 20 Easy Ground Turkey and Potato Recipes
• 17 Easy Ground Turkey and Spinach Recipes