Description
A flavorful and hearty Ground Turkey Orzo Skillet featuring juicy fire-roasted tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and melted mozzarella cheese. This quick and easy one-pan meal combines lean ground turkey with tender orzo pasta simmered in a savory tomato sauce, finished with fresh basil for a vibrant touch. Perfect for a 30-minute weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and satisfying.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1 (8 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained well
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup tomato sauce (marinara sauce works in a pinch)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Pan: Add olive oil to a medium-sized pan with a lid and heat over medium-high.
- Cook the Turkey and Vegetables: Add ground turkey, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and cracked black pepper to the pan. Sauté until the ground turkey is fully cooked and browned. Add diced bell pepper and onion and cook until they are almost translucent.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: While turkey and vegetables cook, combine tomato sauce and chicken broth or water in a bowl. Whisk well and set aside.
- Add Fire Roasted Tomatoes: Stir in the drained fire roasted tomatoes with the cooked meat and vegetables to combine flavors.
- Toast the Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo turns golden brown.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and broth mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer. Stir once every 5 minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking.
- Finish Cooking: Cook until all the liquid is fully absorbed by the orzo and the pasta is tender.
- Add Cheese and Basil: Remove the pan from heat, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and add fresh basil if using. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Drain the canned fire roasted tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid.
- You can substitute chicken broth with water, but broth adds more flavor.
- Stirring occasionally during simmering prevents the orzo from sticking to the pan bottom.
- Fresh basil adds a bright flavor, but you can omit if unavailable.
- For extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the seasonings.
