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Quick One-Pan Cheesy Ground Turkey and Corn Skillet

one-pan cheesy ground turkey skillet - featured image

A quick, comforting, and easy one-pan skillet recipe featuring lean ground turkey, fresh summer corn, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights and capturing the essence of summer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 34 ears) or frozen thawed corn
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese (about 100g)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables and corn: chop the onion, bell pepper, and mince the garlic. Cut kernels off the fresh corn cob if using fresh. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Add ground turkey, crumble it evenly into the pan, and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring regularly until no longer pink and starting to brown. Add a splash of water or broth if the pan gets dry.
  6. Season with smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let spices bloom for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Stir in corn kernels and cook for 4-5 minutes until some kernels turn slightly golden.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cheese melt for 3-4 minutes without stirring.
  9. Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped cilantro or parsley, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

If the skillet looks dry during cooking, add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning of the turkey. Let the cheese melt undisturbed by covering the pan. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese or skip cheese and add avocado slices. Fresh corn is preferred for sweetness and texture. Customize spice levels by adding cayenne or jalapeños if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey skillet, cheesy turkey recipe, summer corn recipe, one-pan dinner, quick weeknight meal, easy turkey skillet