Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 small zucchini, shredded (½ cup)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional, to taste
- 25 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup cooked brown rice or white rice
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Finely chopped fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes tender and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Cook ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and cook, stirring often, until the turkey is fully browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add zucchini and seasonings: Stir in the shredded zucchini, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes to combine the flavors and soften the zucchini slightly.
- Combine sauce and rice: Pour in the marinara sauce and cooked rice, then add half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir everything together until well combined and the cheese has melted into the mixture.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the skillet mixture.
- Broil the skillet: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and develops a lightly browned, bubbly crust. Remove promptly to avoid burning.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh basil over the top as a bright garnish and serve the skillet hot.
Notes
- You can substitute white rice with brown rice or even quinoa for a different texture and nutritional profile.
- If you do not have a broiler or prefer not to use it, you can cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt over low heat.
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten-free, verify that your marinara sauce does not contain any gluten-containing additives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
