25 Simple and Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

Ground turkey is a versatile and nutritious choice for your weight loss journey. Packed with protein and perfect for various dishes like burgers, meatballs and tacos, it easily adapts to different flavors. Compared to ground beef, ground turkey offers similar versatility with fewer calories and less fat.

Looking to incorporate healthy ground turkey into your meals? Explore our collection of over two dozen delicious ground turkey recipes, from classic favorites to inventive creations. These recipes will tantalize your taste buds while supporting your health goals.

1. Ground Turkey Chili

Chili is always a satisfying meal because it’s bursting with flavor and high in fiber and protein, so you stay full for hours. Make it with ground turkey so you get plenty of protein, while onions, peppers and spices bring in the savory flavor you love. With this recipe you add servings of spinach and celery, though you’ll hardly notice them while getting two of your four daily servings of vegetables.

Get the Ground Turkey Chili recipe.

2. Turkey Meatloaf with Oatmeal

Meatloaf has long been a staple of family dinners because it’s easy, filling and simply delicious. We use ground turkey and season it with garlic, onions, black pepper and crushed pepper flakes, so it has a zesty taste. The oatmeal helps to create the perfect texture while adding nutrients and fiber.

Get the Turkey Meatloaf with Oatmeal recipe.

3. Italian Turkey and Mozzarella Burger

Want a fresh way to enjoy a burger that has more flavor and less fat than the ordinary version? These patties include seasonings like red onion, garlic and a bit of basil. They’re topped with tangy marinara sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese to create a sandwich that’s moist, melty and delicious.

Get the Italian Turkey and Mozzarella Burger recipe.

4. Crunchy Turkey Taco Wrap

Keep Taco Tuesday on your calendar with this healthier version of the fast-food favorite. Along with the seasoned turkey, you get reduced fat cheese and sour cream, plus a crunchy tostada in the center. Enjoy it with all the salsa or hot sauce you like. They’re Free foods and unlimited when you’re losing weight with Nutrisystem.

Get the Crunchy Turkey Taco Wrap recipe.

5. Baked Spaghetti

If you thought there’s no way to improve on an ordinary spaghetti dinner, this recipe is for you. It has plenty of whole wheat pasta and rich marinara sauce, while the meaty ground turkey and mozzarella and ricotta cheeses add protein and flavor. Don’t be surprised when the whole family asks you to make it again and again.

Get the Baked Spaghetti recipe.

6. Turkey Pierogies

Yes, you can enjoy pierogies and stay on track with a weight loss plan. Make the dumplings with whole wheat flour and fill them with seasoned ground turkey and onions. They’ll come out soft and chewy on the outside, savory and fragrant on the inside.

Get the Turkey Pierogies recipe. 

7. Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

Here are two favorite party snacks in one. You’ve got bite-size turkey meatballs that are seasoned and baked until tender. They’re tossed with a creamy buffalo sauce that can be as spicy as you and your guests like it.

Get the Buffalo Turkey Meatballs recipe. 

8. Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash

A healthy meal can be simple and satisfying when you make this dish. The base is naturally sweet, super-nutritious acorn squash. It’s filled with a mix of ground turkey, onions, garlic, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach and basil. Chunks of mozzarella make it all rich and creamy.

Get the Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.

9. Healthy Stuffed Cabbage

Cabbage rolls are a favorite of many families, so we’ve developed this healthy version that you can enjoy while you’re losing weight. The crisp cabbage leaves are filled with a savory mix of ground turkey and shredded potato. After rolling, they’re bathed in tangy tomato sauce and simmered until they’re tender and fragrant.

Get the Healthy Stuffed Cabbage Recipe.

10. Easy Lasagna Soup

This soup is the quickest and simplest way to enjoy the flavors of homemade lasagna. It has a rich tomato base for the broth along with browned ground turkey, whole grain lasagna noodles, and nutritious spinach leaves. Each bowl is topped with a blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, so every spoonful gives you all the flavors and textures that make this dish so irresistible.

Get the Easy Lasagna Soup recipe.

11. Turkey Burger Patty Melt

Patty melts bring together the pleasures of burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. We make ours with a ground turkey patty and top it with sauteed onions and mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. They’re all heated together on whole grain sourdough bread until the cheese melts and the bread turns crispy.

Get the Turkey Burger Patty Melt recipe.

12. Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

These egg rolls are easy to make, fun to eat, and certain to delight your family or guests. The egg roll wrappers are filled with seasoned ground turkey and cheddar cheese and then baked until they’re crisp on the outside and warm and gooey inside. This recipe makes 10 servings, so you can share them at a party or keep the leftovers in the freezer to reheat whenever you’re craving a cheeseburger.

Get the Cheeseburger Egg Roll recipe.

13. Homemade Pasta Sauce: Chunky Veggie and Turkey

If you and your family like pasta sauce that’s meaty and thick, try this simple, low-calorie version. It has ground turkey for protein and savory flavor, plus peppers, onions and lots of tomatoes. Make extra to store in your freezer and pull out anytime you’re making pasta for dinner.

Get the Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce recipe. 

14. Ground Turkey and Potato Hash Skillet

A hot and hearty breakfast fuels you up for a busy day, and this dish is packed with all the nutrition you need and the flavor you want! It features ground turkey, shredded potatoes and an egg, plus shaved Brussels sprouts that become tender and sweet as they cook. The whole meal is made in one skillet for easy clean-up on a hectic morning.

Get the Ground Turkey and Potato Hash Skillet recipe.

15. Dutch Oven Lasagna

With this recipe, you get everything you love about the hearty pasta dish but with fewer calories and fat than the conventional version. There are all the layers you expect, including thick and wavy noodles, tangy tomato sauce, creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, and meaty ground turkey. When you make it in a Dutch oven, it comes out perfectly baked and ready for slicing.

Get the Dutch Oven Lasagna recipe.

16. Cauliflower Stuffed Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be a handy and healthy vehicle for a complete meal. For this dish, we scoop out the insides of big beefsteak tomatoes and stuff them with seasoned ground turkey mixed with fresh spinach and low-carb cauliflower rice, which you can find in the produce or frozen food sections of many supermarkets. Parmesan cheese inside and  on top adds a salty flavor and melty texture.

Get the Cauliflower Stuffed Tomatoes recipe.

17. Chipotle Turkey Meatballs

You can give cocktail meatballs extra flavor and keep the saturated fats to a minimum with this tasty variation. To make them, ground turkey is mixed with breadcrumbs, chopped spinach, and herbs and spices. While they bake, whip up the zesty dipping sauce with Greek yogurt, chili powder, cilantro and honey for a touch of sweetness.

Get the Chipotle Turkey Meatballs  recipe.

18. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Classic comfort meals like this can fit into your weight loss plan with a few substitutions to the standard ingredients. Our version has ground turkey and a creamy sweet potato topping, so you get lots of healthy nutrients as you fill up on this hearty dinner. Make it in an Instant Pot and the cooking is easy and the clean-up will be quick.

Get the Instant Pot Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe.

19. Skinny Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip

Chili cheese dip may sound like a treat you’ll have to pass on when you’re trying to shed excess pounds, but our healthy eating experts created this version so you can join in the fun. It has lots of beans and fire-roasted green chili peppers for the taste you love. Ground turkey, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced fat cheddar cheese make this dip filling and creamy. Enjoy it with celery sticks or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips .

Get the Skinny Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip recipe.

20. Ground Turkey and Veggie Curry with Brown Rice

When you need to refuel with a nourishing meal that you can put on the table in minutes, this recipe makes it easy. Ground turkey, onions and garlic, carrots and zucchini all are cooked together with juicy crushed tomatoes until tender. Curry powder, cumin, red pepper flakes and other spices punch up the flavor.

Get the Ground Turkey and Veggie Curry recipe. 

21. One-Pot Curried Turkey

Enjoy an easy dinner time with this simple, yet complete meal. It has ground turkey for protein, chickpeas for fiber, and carrots, peppers and zucchini for essential nutrients. Coconut milk and spices such as ginger, cinnamon and curry powder take the flavor to the next level.

 Get the One-Pot Curried Turkey recipe.

22. Healthy Baked Penne Pasta

If you want to feed a hungry crowd, pull this hearty meal out of the oven. They’ll rave about the rich, full flavor and they’ll ask for seconds. Only you have to know it’s made with healthy ingredients like ground turkey, whole grain penne and mild-tasting, extra-nutritious Swiss chard.

Get the Healthy Baked Penne Pasta recipe.

23. Honey Sriracha Meatballs

Get ready for a brand-new party favorite with these flavorful bites. The ground turkey meatballs are tender and just the right size for snacking. Everyone will love dipping them in the tongue-tingling sriracha sauce you can make in minutes with just a few ingredients.

Get the Honey Sriracha Meatballs recipe.

24. Air Fryer Mexican Pizza

With this recipe, you get the pleasures of eating pizza and the tempting flavors of Mexican cuisine in one meal. The crust is whole wheat tortillas and they’re topped with seasoned ground turkey, cheese, spinach, avocado and plenty of salsa. The air fryer ensures the crust is crisp while the cheese melts.

Get the Air Fryer Mexican Pizza recipe.

25. 4-Ingredient Stuffed Buffalo Zucchini Boats

Large zucchinis make sturdy vessels for stuffing with other tasty ingredients. We like to fill them with a simple blend of turkey, mozzarella and chopped zucchini, all tossed with buffalo sauce. You can prepare this meal in minutes on a busy day and each boat provides you with two of your daily servings of non-starchy vegetables.

Get the Stuffed Buffalo Zucchini Boats recipe.

Looking for more easy meals? Nutrisystem delivers breakfasts, lunches and dinners directly to your door! (We’ve even got tasty options featuring turkey.) Get started with Nutrisystem today!