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Creamy Tuscan Turkey Orzo Skillet

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This creamy Tuscan turkey orzo skillet is a quick, healthy, and comforting one-pan dinner packed with lean turkey, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and orzo in a luscious parmesan-garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (lean or extra-lean)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and sliced, packed in oil preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or dried basil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half or coconut cream for lighter/dairy-free)
  • 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep all ingredients: dice onion, mince garlic, slice sun-dried tomatoes, grate parmesan, zest lemon, chop spinach, and measure orzo, broth, and cream.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 4–5 minutes. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  3. Push turkey to one side. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and diced onion. Sauté 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Add orzo and stir to combine. Toast orzo for 1 minute until slightly nutty.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and scrape up browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Add more broth if needed.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and chopped spinach. Simmer uncovered 2–3 minutes until spinach is wilted and sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in grated parmesan and lemon zest. Add fresh basil if desired. Let rest 5 minutes to thicken.
  8. Serve hot in bowls, topped with extra parmesan and basil. Enjoy!

Notes

For best flavor, brown the turkey well and use freshly grated parmesan. Add spinach in batches to avoid clumping. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream before serving. Let the skillet rest 5 minutes before serving for a creamier texture. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; add a splash of broth when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey orzo skillet, creamy tuscan orzo, healthy skillet dinner, one pan turkey pasta, weeknight dinner, Italian turkey recipe, sun-dried tomato orzo, spinach turkey skillet

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/creamy-tuscan-turkey-orzo-skillet-easy-30-minute-healthy-dinner/