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Ground Turkey Pizza Skillet - A Fast, Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean is a good balance of flavor and moisture)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional but adds “pizzeria” flavor)
  • 1/2 cup sliced turkey pepperoni or mini pepperoni (optional)
  • 1 (14–15 oz) can crushed tomatoes or pizza sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional, for classic pizza taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Optional add-ins: Black olives, spinach, sliced jalapeños, pineapple tidbits, cooked sausage crumbles

Method
 

  1. Warm the pan: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Preheat your broiler if you plan to melt the cheese on top in the oven.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in mushrooms and cook another 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the turkey: Scoot the veggies to the edges and add the ground turkey to the center. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink and lightly browned, about 5–7 minutes.
  4. Season like a pizzeria: Stir in oregano, basil, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. Toast the spices for 30 seconds to bloom their flavor.
  5. Add sauce elements: Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes (or pizza sauce). Mix well, then taste and adjust salt and pepper. If using turkey pepperoni or cooked sausage, fold it in now.
  6. Simmer and thicken: Reduce heat to medium-low. Let it bubble gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. You want a saucy, scoopable consistency.
  7. Cheese it: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top. If you’re staying on the stovetop, cover with a lid and cook 2–3 minutes until melted. For a bubbly, browned top, slide the skillet under the broiler for 1–3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  8. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve as-is for a low-carb option, or spoon over cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or toasted garlic bread.