Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey – Healthy, Cozy Skillet Dinner with Warm Spices

🎉 Introduction

Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey is a nourishing, flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners and healthy comfort food cravings. Sweet, caramelized butternut squash pairs beautifully with savory ground turkey, warm spices, and tender greens for a balanced dish that feels cozy without being heavy.

This recipe is simple, wholesome, and naturally satisfying—made with lean protein, vegetables, and pantry spices. Finished with a light sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley, it’s a one-pan style meal that’s ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or clean eating goals.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large baking sheet
• Large skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

Roasted Butternut Squash

• 1 medium butternut squash (about 2–3 lbs), peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Turkey & Veggie Skillet

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)

Finish

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped (to taste)

These ingredients create a dish that is savory, lightly sweet, warmly spiced, and perfectly balanced.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Roast the Butternut Squash

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 2:
Place the diced butternut squash on a baking sheet.

Step 3:
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and smoked paprika.

Step 4:
Toss well and spread into an even layer.

Step 5:
Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and lightly caramelized.

Cook the Ground Turkey

Step 6:
While the squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 7:
Add the ground turkey and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked.

Step 8:
Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.

Step 9:
Stir in the garlic and cumin and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Combine Everything

Step 10:
Add the roasted butternut squash to the skillet with the turkey mixture.

Step 11:
Gently toss to combine and cook for 2–3 minutes.

Step 12:
Add the spinach and stir until just wilted.

Step 13:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 14:
Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 15:
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: About 50 minutes

Perfect for healthy dinners and meal prep bowls.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

Reheating:

• Reheat in a skillet or microwave
• Add a splash of water if needed

🥄 Variations

• Extra veggies: Add zucchini or bell peppers
• Dairy-free: Skip Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative
• Spicier: Add chili flakes
• Low-carb: Serve as-is or over greens
• Grain bowl: Serve over rice or quinoa

Each variation keeps the dish flexible, hearty, and nutritious.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Is this recipe healthy?
   Yes, balanced with lean protein and vegetables.
2. Can I use ground chicken?
   Yes, it works perfectly.
3. Does cinnamon make it sweet?
   No, it adds warmth, not sweetness.
4. Is this kid-friendly?
   Yes, mild and comforting.
5. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes, great for meal prep.
6. Is it gluten-free?
   Yes, naturally gluten-free.
7. Can I use frozen squash?
   Yes, roast straight from frozen.
8. Can I skip spinach?
   Yes, or replace with kale.
9. Does it freeze well?
   Yes, up to 2 months.
10. What goes well with it?
    Salad, yogurt-based sauce, or grains.

🏁 Conclusion

Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey is a wholesome, satisfying meal that brings together sweet roasted vegetables, savory turkey, and warm spices in one comforting dish. Simple to make, nourishing, and full of flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.

Adam

Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey – Healthy, Cozy Skillet Dinner with Warm Spices

Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey is a nourishing, flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners and healthy comfort food cravings. Sweet, caramelized butternut squash pairs beautifully with savory ground turkey, warm spices, and tender greens for a balanced dish that feels cozy without being heavy. This recipe is simple, wholesome, and naturally satisfying—made with lean protein, vegetables, and pantry spices. Finished with a light sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley, it’s a one-pan style meal that’s ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or clean eating goals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Roasted Butternut Squash

• 1 medium butternut squash about 2–3 lbs, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Turkey & Veggie Skillet

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup fresh spinach or frozen, thawed and squeezed dry

Finish

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley chopped (to taste)
• These ingredients create a dish that is savory lightly sweet, warmly spiced, and perfectly balanced.

Equipment

• Large baking sheet
• Large skillet
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Method

 

1. Roast the Butternut Squash

Step 1:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 2:

1. Place the diced butternut squash on a baking sheet.

Step 3:

1. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and smoked paprika.

Step 4:

1. Toss well and spread into an even layer.

Step 5:

1. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and lightly caramelized.
2. Cook the Ground Turkey

Step 6:

1. While the squash roasts, heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 7:

1. Add the ground turkey and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked.

Step 8:

1. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.

Step 9:

1. Stir in the garlic and cumin and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Combine Everything

Step 10:

1. Add the roasted butternut squash to the skillet with the turkey mixture.

Step 11:

1. Gently toss to combine and cook for 2–3 minutes.

Step 12:

1. Add the spinach and stir until just wilted.

Step 13:

1. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 14:

1. Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 15:

1. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

Reheating:

Reheat in a skillet or microwave

Add a splash of water if needed

🥄 Variations

Extra veggies: Add zucchini or bell peppers

Dairy-free: Skip Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative

Spicier: Add chili flakes

Low-carb: Serve as-is or over greens

Grain bowl: Serve over rice or quinoa

Each variation keeps the dish flexible, hearty, and nutritious.

❓ 10 FAQs

Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, balanced with lean protein and vegetables.

Can I use ground chicken?
Yes, it works perfectly.

Does cinnamon make it sweet?
No, it adds warmth, not sweetness.

Is this kid-friendly?
Yes, mild and comforting.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, great for meal prep.

Is it gluten-free?
Yes, naturally gluten-free.

Can I use frozen squash?
Yes, roast straight from frozen.

Can I skip spinach?
Yes, or replace with kale.

Does it freeze well?
Yes, up to 2 months.

What goes well with it?
Salad, yogurt-based sauce, or grains.

🏁 Conclusion

Roasted Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey is a wholesome, satisfying meal that brings together sweet roasted vegetables, savory turkey, and warm spices in one comforting dish. Simple to make, nourishing, and full of flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.