Ground meats may get a bad rap for being tasteless or limiting, but they're actually some of the most versatile ingredients you can find at your local grocery store, especially when it comes to ground turkey. The ingredient may seem boring, but it's a great base for many healthy dinner recipes that are also delicious. Whether you're looking for Thai lettuce cups or spaghetti and meatballs, a burger, or a bowl of chili to keep you warm on a cold night, there are ground turkey recipes for every palate and mood — even for the pickiest of eaters of your household. Ground turkey works as the base for any kind of dish or as the whole meal, making it an easy and great choice for any weeknight dinner. Not to mention, it's much more affordable than some of the other packed meats out there.
The best part about these ground turkey recipes, though? They're easy! They are ideal for 30-minute dinner plans, and you probably already have most of the ingredients you need for them lying around the kitchen or in your fridge. With these recipes, you will never have to wonder how to cook ground turkey again. Plus, they're instant crowd-pleasers, which guarantees that your loved ones will be asking for any one of these recipes on a weekly basis.
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Quick Pork Ragu with Ravioli
Granted, this recipe may technically be with pork, but swap the pork for lean ground turkey for a lighter dinner option.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower with Turkey Meatloaf
Meatloaf may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if it's yours, you're going to love this recipe. It does take a bit of a time though, so you may want to take that into consideration before making it.
Forget the pasta. Put a new spin on meatballs with these flavor-packed lettuce wraps. The garlic, mint, Asian fish sauce, and carrots will not disappoint.
This juicy turkey patty, topped with a mushroom-shallot mixture, and lots of Swiss cheese will forever change your mind about turkey burgers being bland.
This easy-to-make meal can be on the table in just 45 minutes. And if you decide to make these meatballs ahead of time (cook them for 10 minutes, cool, and freeze), dinner can be ready even quicker since all you'll have to do is defrost and let them simmer in the soup before serving.
Meat loaf doesn't have to be heavy. This recipe is only 300 calories — pair it with a refreshing citrus salad, and you're looking at a new go-to dinner.
Versatile and incredibly satisfying, this spiced chili can be made up to two days ahead. Serve it as a stand-alone dish or as a topping for nachos on game day.
When scraped out with a fork, cooked spaghetti squash transforms into noodle-like strands and has tons of fiber and vitamins. Pair it with oven-broiled turkey meatballs for a low-carb version of pasta night.
Annie O’SullivanAssistant EditorAnnie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping.
Olivia MuenterOlivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond.
