High Protein Gnocchi Ground Turkey Skillet (25 Mins, 36g Protein)

I love one-skillet meals. As someone who doesn’t love cooking, I am always looking for ways to save time and dishes. I recently made the most delicious, satisfying High Protein Gnocchi Ground Turkey Skillet and I cannot wait to share it with you. 

This is the kind of dish that feels like something you might order from a restaurant. It’s packed with flavor, protein (36g!!), and even some veggies! Add that to the fact that the entire dish is made in one pan in 30 minutes or less and I have my ideal meal situation. 

My family and I love this recipe, I hope you do, too! P.S. If you enjoy one-pot meals like I do, be sure to try our One-Pot Lasagna, it’ll change your life!

My Easy, High Protein Gnocchi Ground Turkey Skillet

Now that I’ve talked this recipe up a bit, let me tell you how to make it!

Ingredients

You can grab everything you need for this recipe from your local grocery store.

• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground turkey (99% lean is best and the highest in protein)
• 1 pound potato gnocchi
• 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 packed cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: basil, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes

Ingredient Tips

Use lean ground turkey: I like to get 99% lean ground turkey for this recipe. Using lean meat keeps the macros low while also reducing the amount of liquid that you’ll need to drain from your skillet.

Play around with different pasta sauce varieties: I used a jar of marinara sauce for this recipe, but you can use whatever pasta sauce flavor you like best. 

Moderate the heat: Red pepper flakes will add a bit of heat to the dish. If you’re not a fan of spice, omit the red pepper flakes or reduce the amount used to keep it mild.

How To Make This Recipe (Step-by-Step Instructions)

One skillet and 30 minutes are all you need to get this recipe rolling!

Kitchen Tools

Here are the kitchen tools you’ll need to make this recipe:

1. Large skillet
2. Mixing spoon
3. Cutting board and knife

Step 1: Cook the onions, garlic, and ground turkey

Place your skillet over medium heat and ½ tablespoons of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up then add diced onions, allowing to sauté for a few minutes until softened. Add the garlic, stir, and allow to sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the ground turkey with your spoon and allow it to cook for 7-8 minutes, or until browned. Season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes (if using). Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 2: Add gnocchi, pasta sauce, chicken broth, and spinach

Add the gnocchi, pasta sauce, and broth to the skillet with the ground turkey mixture. Stir everything together, ensuring that the gnocchi are covered with sauce. Allow the mixture to come to a low simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the chopped spinach and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted and the gnocchi is tender.

Step 3: Garnish and Enjoy

Garnish the skillet with toppings of your choice (red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, basil, etc.). Serve warm and enjoy!

Macro Friendly Variations

Protein Adjustment

Increase Protein:

• Use extra lean ground turkey (99% fat-free). This will increase the protein content while keeping fats low.
• Increase the ground turkey—use 1.5 lbs instead of 1 lb.
• Add ¼ cup of egg whites into the skillet as it simmers for additional protein.

Fat Adjustment

Increase Fats:

• Use a higher-fat ground turkey instead of extra lean.
• Add extra olive oil to the dish before serving.
• Increase parmesan cheese or use a higher-fat cheese like mozzarella or ricotta.

Decrease Fats:

• Use cooking spray instead of olive oil when sauteing the onions and garlic.
• Use 99% lean ground turkey.
• Don’t add any cheese.

Carb Adjustment

Increase Carbs:

• Add an additional ½ pound of gnocchi, so 1.5 lbs total.
• Add in other carb-dense vegetables like sweet potatoes, or add in some quinoa or pasta.

Decrease Carbs:

• Use cauliflower gnocchi instead of potato gnocchi for a significant carb reduction.
• Reduce the gnocchi amount to ½ pound and add more spinach or other low-carb veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to replace it.
• Use a low-carb marinara sauce without added sugars.

Serving Suggestions

With Garlic Bread or Crusty Bread

• Serve the Gnocchi Ground Turkey Skillet alongside a piece of garlic bread or crusty bread with butter for a complete hearty meal experience.

With a Side Salad

• Serve with a simple side salad with a light dressing to add more veggies and volume to your meal with minimal calories.

FAQs

Conclusion

When you need a quick, easy, hearty meal that checks all the boxes when it comes to nutrition, adding our High Protein Gnocchi Ground Turkey Skillet to your list is an absolute must. This dish screams comfort and warmth, but will also help you hit your goals and keep you feeling full for hours. The 36g of protein per serving in this recipe is absolutely wild!

If you give this recipe a try, be sure to come back and leave it a review and tag me on Instagram @fithealthymacros so I can see your creation! I love hearing from you and your support means the world to me.