Italian Ground Turkey Spinach Orzo Recipe
A deliciously hearty Italian-inspired ground turkey and spinach orzo dish that combines lean protein, tender orzo pasta, and fresh greens in a flavorful broth with Parmesan cheese and a hint of lemon for brightness. Perfect for a family-friendly weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Skillet Base:
- 1 lb ground turkey (lean, such as Butterball)
- 12 oz orzo pasta (Barilla recommended)
- 2.5 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 4.5 cups chicken broth
- 1.25 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1.25 tsp salt
- 0.75 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
For the Finish:
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 0.66 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon (zested and cut into wedges)
- Fresh basil leaves, torn by hand for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Mise en Place and Season the Turkey: Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Roughly chop the spinach and zest the lemon, then cut it into wedges. In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to create a spice blend for seasoning the turkey.
- Brown the Ground Turkey: Heat 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground turkey and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink. Sprinkle the spice blend over the turkey, stirring to coat evenly, then transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside.
- Toast the Orzo and Build the Broth Base: In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and return to medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly golden. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer the Orzo Until Tender: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the orzo in the broth for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the orzo is tender with a slight bite and the broth has reduced significantly but not evaporated completely. Watch closely to avoid mushy pasta.
- Finish and Serve: Return the cooked turkey to the pot, stir in the chopped spinach and allow it to wilt for about 30 seconds. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve individual portions with a squeeze of lemon juice, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and fresh torn basil leaves for garnish.
Notes
- Use lean ground turkey to keep the dish light and healthy.
- Toast the orzo before cooking to add a nutty depth of flavor.
- Adding cheese off the heat prevents it from becoming grainy.
- Adjust red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens and balances the flavors.
- Spinach can be swapped for other greens like kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
Keywords: ground turkey orzo, Italian turkey pasta, spinach orzo recipe, healthy turkey dinner, one pot pasta
