If you only have 20-30 minutes to make dinner and have a can of pumpkin in your pantry, you have to try this Pumpkin Turkey Skillet with White Beans! It's an easy healthy dinner with ground turkey, pureed pumpkin + cheese and Greek yogurt added at the end to make it extra creamy! Serve it on it's own or over pasta or rice. 😊
Fall is the time of year I want cozy meals & comfort food, but it's also a busy season! So anytime I can have a complete meal on the table in 30 minutes or less with minimal chopping is a total win. Especially when it's full of nutrition and has so much flavor I can't help but go back for a second bowl!
As a dietitian, I think the best part about this recipe is that it's a balanced meal. The ground turkey provides high quality protein and the Greek yogurt + white beans add an extra protein boost. The pumpkin puree, spinach, and white beans add dietary fiber to help support a healthy gut and keep you full, and the olive oil and provides healthy fats! It's a perfect example that a great recipe doesn't have to be complicated.
This recipe came to me on a total whim. I had a few extra cans of pumpkin puree from recipe testing my pumpkin banana muffins and I really wanted to use the pumpkin for dinner. (BTW- if you haven't made any savory pumpkin recipes, I HIGHLY recommend it. I have a pumpkin chili with fire-roasted tomatoes, 3 types of beans, and red pepper.) This pumpkin skillet has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It's become one of my favorite things to meal prep for weeknight dinners this season! I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 😊
If you like this recipe, you may enjoy some of my other easy ground turkey recipes like a Turkey Taco Skillet, Sweet Potatoes & Black Bean Skillet, Turkey Sweet Potato Chili, or Zucchini White Bean Turkey Skillet!
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This easy pumpkin turkey skillet recipe is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the recipe card for the measurements.
- Ground Turkey - I use either lean or extra lean ground turkey for this recipe. Extra lean so it will be more dry since it has less fat. You could substitute with a different ground meat if you want. Lean ground beef or ground chicken would work great. If you are vegan, double up on the white beans or add black beans or tofu crumbles.
- Pumpkin Puree - this is the star ingredient and you may be shocked at how much of a creamy texture pumpkin adds to a skillet meal. It's an easy way to add nutrition too because pumpkin contains important nutrients like vitamin C, A, and fiber. You'll use the whole can in this recipe and be sure to look for pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling which has added salt and sugar.
- Yellow Onion & Garlic - aromatics to add flavor, texture, and depth. You can substitute the garlic with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Spinach - to add more nutrition and color.
- White Beans - white beans provide dietary fiber for gut health and important nutrients like magnesium for brain health. They also add plant-protein and flavor! I suggest either cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. I use cannellini beans which are softer.
- Greek Yogurt - this is an easy way to make it creamy without using heavy cream which is high in saturated fats. It also adds more protein.
- Mozzarella Cheese - I love using melty Mozzarella for this recipe because it melts easily. Feel free to use Monterey jack cheese, parmesan cheese, or your favorite shredded cheese. Or make it vegan and dairy-free by using a vegan cheese or cutting out the cheese altogether.
- Chicken Broth - or vegetable broth to keep the turkey moist.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - added to the pan to cook the turkey. Extra-virgin olive oil is high in heart-healthy fatty acids that support brain health and hormone health. You can substitute with avocado oil which is also high in healthy fatty acids if you prefer.
- Fresh Herbs - fresh rosemary and fresh thyme add tons of flavor.
- Cinnamon - a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice adds warmth that pairs really well with the pumpkin and other savory flavors in this dish.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie all the flavors together.
- Fresh Lemon Juice (optional) - optional to add more flavor at the end for a finishing touch.
How to Make a Pumpkin Turkey Skillet
Below are the instructions for how to make this easy recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil. Once olive oil is heated, add the diced onion and sautee until soft, ~3-4 minutes. Add the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Step 2: Add the ground turkey, fresh rosemary & thyme, kosher salt and black pepper and cinnamon. Break apart the meat and cook until it's nearly done, 5-7 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the chicken broth and can of pumpkin puree. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: To the skillet, add the white beans and spinach and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Turn off the heat and stir in the Greek yogurt and mozzarella cheese until the cheese is melted. Add a squeeze of lemon on top. (optional)
Hint: add more chicken broth as needed!
Dietitian Tip
White beans and pumpkin puree are two of my favorite pantry staples to keep around in the fall and winter months. Both of them are full of nutrition and can be used in so many favorite recipes on busy weeknights!
Variations
The best part about this Pumpkin Turkey Skillet is you can customize the recipe to your liking. Below are some suggestions for variations, but feel free to get creative and put your spin on it.
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to add some heat.
- Deluxe - add red bell pepper, mushrooms, or kale for even more veggies.
- Dairy-Free - to make this recipe dairy free, use a non-dairy yogurt and cheese or use coconut milk in place of both.
Ideas for Serving
- Over pasta or rice - this is a relatively low carb meal. Add more carbs by serving it with your favorite pasta or rice!
- With pita chips - Have a side of pita chips or crunch some up and mix them in.
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash - roast spaghetti squash halves in the oven then add the pumpkin turkey skillet with more cheese on top and bake for another 5-10 minutes!
- Cauliflower Rice - for add more veggies, serve it over riced cauliflower.
Equipment
You'll need either a wok or a good nonstick pan for this skillet dinner. I use my Caraway skillet which is a non-toxic PFOA and PTFE-free saute pan.
Storage
- Refrigerator - store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Expert Tips
- Heat the oil in the pan before adding the onions.
- Season the turkey right after adding it to the pan.
- Break apart the meat right after adding it to the pan and then avoid stirring too frequently. This will help the ground turkey mixture to brown a bit on the bottom of the pan and create more flavor.
- Don't forget to drain and rinse your beans!
- If you don't have fresh herbs, substitute with 1 teaspoon of each dried rosemary and dried thyme.
- If you can't be bothered to chop an onion and garlic, use 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. It won't have quite as much flavor but it totally works!
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich option. The turkey provides lean high-quality protein and other important nutrients like iron. Pumpkin provides dietary fiber, vitamins A & C, and antioxidants, and the white beans provide additional fiber and plant protein.
Absolutely! You can use ground chicken, beef, or pork instead if you prefer.
For sure! Great Northern Beans are another great option. They are a bit more firm so they will hold their shape better whereas cannellini beans get a little creamy.
More Healthy Skillet Dinner Recipes
- Ground Chicken & Veggies Stir Fry
- Black Bean & Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Quick & Easy Turkey Taco Skillet with Black Beans
- Unstuffed Pepper Skillet with Ground Beef
- Turkey Zucchini Skillet with White Beans
- Sweet Potato Turkey Skillet
More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
- Simple Pumpkin Hummus
- Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Creamy Pumpkin Chili
- Pumpkin Protein Shake
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Easy Banana Pumpkin Muffins
- Creamy Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Pumpkin Turkey Skillet
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Creamy Pumpkin Turkey Skillet with White Beans, Easy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon coarse kosher salt (more to taste, start with ½ teaspoon if using fine table salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups spinach
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- squeeze lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil. Once olive oil is heated, add the diced onion and sautee until soft, ~3-4 minutes. Add the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the ground turkey, fresh rosemary & thyme, kosher salt and black pepper and cinnamon. Break apart the meat and cook until it's nearly done, 5-7 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and can of pumpkin puree. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer 3-4 minutes.
- To the skillet, add the white beans and spinach and cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the Greek yogurt and mozzarella cheese until the cheese is melted. Add a squeeze of lemon on top (optional).
Notes
- Heat the oil in the pan before adding the onions.
- Season the turkey right after adding it to the pan.
- Break apart the meat right after adding it to the pan and then avoid stirring too frequently. This will help the ground turkey mixture to brown a bit on the bottom of the pan and create more flavor.
- Don't forget to drain and rinse your beans!
- If you don't have fresh herbs, substitute with 1 teaspoon of each dried rosemary and dried thyme.
- If you can't be bothered to chop an onion and garlic, use 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. It won't have quite as much flavor but it totally works!
- Refrigerator - store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
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