Description
This Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey is a wholesome, hearty skillet-style dish featuring caramelized cubes of roasted butternut squash tossed with savory, seasoned ground turkey, onions, garlic, and warm spices. It’s cozy, flavorful, protein-rich, and perfect for fall and winter dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Roasted Butternut Squash
- 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the Ground Turkey Mixture
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup broth (turkey, chicken, or vegetable)
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ½ cup black beans
- ½ cup corn
- ¼ cup feta cheese or goat cheese
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Roast the Butternut Squash
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss cubed squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until caramelized and tender.
2. Cook the Ground Turkey
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion; cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add ground turkey, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Stir in cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Mix in tomato paste, then add broth to create a light sauce.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until flavors meld.
3. Combine
- Add roasted butternut squash to the skillet.
- Stir gently to avoid smashing the squash.
- Fold in spinach, beans, or corn if using.
- Heat until warmed through.
4. Serve
- Top with fresh herbs or crumbled cheese if desired.
- Serve alone, over rice/quinoa, or stuffed in tortillas.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, drizzle a little maple syrup over the roasted squash.
- Add cayenne or chipotle for a spicy version.
- Swap butternut squash for sweet potatoes if preferred.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT25M
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasted + Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
