This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This is a go-to meal for the Pacheco family. When Will was in college (and those of you who have been starving college students will understand this), he would make us variations of this meal all the time because it’s easy, cheap, tastes good, and is good for you. When you find a meal like that, you tend to stick to it, haha. This Turkey and Rice Skillet was a staple for us and I hope it is for you too!
So, Will would sometimes use ground beef or chicken instead of turkey, or sometime we would use different vegetables, but the core recipe would stay the same: ground meat, rice, and veggies!
For more easy dinner ideas, check out my 9 Best Minimal-Step Ground Turkey Recipes, or try my Italian Ground Beef and Vegetable Skillet for a beef variation.
Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet Ingredients
This is a recipe that you can totally customize to whatever you have in your fridge. If you dont have ground turkey, you could use ground beef, or even canned chicken. If you have frozen peas instead of canned veggies, use those. This can totally be tailored to your family’s specific needs.
- ground turkey: use your favorite ground meat
- Italian seasoning: I like to buy this giant container from Amazon so I always have this on hand
- pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- can mixed vegetables: or frozen or fresh!
- can Italian-style petite diced tomatoes: these tomatoes add so much flavor while keeping costs low
- cooked white rice: you could also use pasta
How to Make Ground Turkey and Rice
This recipe is so simple and only takes one pan! I like to make this in my Green Pan. Here’s the set that I have. It’s high-quality, durable, and… it’s pink! What’s not to love? It’s definitely an investment, so if you just need a skillet, I’d recommend a cast iron skillet. It’s so versatile!
Okay, back to food! First, you’re going to cook your ground turkey in your skillet. I love to use this meat chopper to break it up super easily. Once that’s all cooked, add in all of your ingredients except for the rice. Let that all simmer together for just a few minutes.
Next, stir in your cooked rice and let that all get warm and cozy with the other ingredients for about three minutes. Serve with some fresh herbs on top, if you’d like!
Cheap Healthy Meals
It’s so hard to find cheap meals that are good for you too. I’ve done the hard work and have put together some cheap and healthy meals when you want to eat well on a budget!
Healthy Seasoned Chicken Vegetable Skillet
Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 15 oz can mixed vegetables, drained
- 15 oz can Italian-style petite diced tomatoes
- 3 ½ cups COOKED white rice
Instructions
- To a large skillet over medium-high heat add the turkey. Break it up and cook through.
- Add in the seasonings, mixed vegetables, and diced tomatoes. Stir well and let simmer covered for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice and let simmer for 3 more minutes, then serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for this! It was super easy. I did substitute the petite dice tomatoes for a Rotel and pair it with cottage cheese. It is filling and light on the stomach
Delicious and so easy to make! Unfortunately, I’m allergic to tomatoes, so I left them out. I used peas and carrots and it was amazing. Thank you!
Been looking for a simple go-to dish I can make. I live alone and need something super simple. Dumb question — the mixed vegetables. Can you be more specific? Is it a frozen bag of corn or some other vegetable?
I make this about every other week! It’s my go-to for an easy meal. I use frozen vegetables instead and cook them in a separate pot.