Description
A cozy, one-pan autumn-inspired meal featuring lean ground turkey, sweet butternut squash, warm spices, and creamy goat cheese. Perfect for a quick, hearty yet light dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground turkey (93% or leaner)
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and ground turkey; cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the turkey until browned and fully cooked.
- Add cumin, paprika, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the meat in the spices.
- Add diced butternut squash and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash is fork-tender. Add more water if needed.
- Remove the lid and let any excess liquid cook off.
- Turn off heat and sprinkle goat cheese over the top. Cover for 1–2 minutes to let the cheese soften.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving.
Notes
Swap turkey with ground chicken or plant-based meat for a vegetarian version.
Add greens like spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking for extra nutrition.
Adjust spice levels with more cayenne or red pepper flakes.
Use feta or Greek yogurt instead of goat cheese if preferred.
Stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat with a splash of water to keep it moist.
Can freeze without goat cheese and add fresh cheese after reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
