At the end of a long day, the last thing I want to think about is what’s for dinner. There are certainly nights where take-out wins, but we try to limit that as much as we can. (Hello, wallets and waistlines!) While I generally enjoy cooking and creating new meals, it can be both daunting and time-consuming. I tend to save my creativity for weekends and stick to tried and true recipes for those hectic, busy weeknights.
Ground turkey is a staple in our household.
Ground turkey doesn’t require any prep, cooks quickly, is incredibly versatile, and is relatively healthy. Below are two Skidmore family favorites. Honestly, I hesitate to even call these “recipes” because they are so simple, and I rarely measure anything. (What can I say? I’m a kitchen rebel.)
A quick piece of advice: ground turkey is bland, so season generously!
Rainbow Rice Bowl
- Ground Turkey
- Sweet Potato
- Red Onion
- Asparagus
- Brown Rice (I always buy frozen microwavable – could not be easier!)
- Shredded Cheese (any variety – I prefer white cheddar)
- Olive Oil
- Salt/Pepper
- Other seasonings of your choice
Directions: Preheat oven to 400. Dice sweet potato and red onion into small chunks. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Place both in oven for approximately 15 minutes. Drizzle olive oil on seasoned asparagus and add to oven for an additional 10 minutes. Meanwhile, brown turkey in a skillet. Season liberally with your favorites. (I tend to go with garlic salt and onion powder.) Microwave brown rice. Add all contents to skillet with shredded cheese. Serve in a bowl. (Note – you can add basically any veggie to this dish. Broccoli and cauliflower would also be great!)
Southwestern Rice Bowl
- Ground Turkey
- Taco Seasoning
- Brown Rice
- Salsa (jarred is completely fine)
- Cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Corn
- Beans
- Diced Avocado
- Shredded Cheese
- Lettuce/Spinach/Spring Mix/Kale (something green!)
Directions: Cook ground turkey in skillet seasoned with whole taco seasoning packet. Once cooked, add cilantro, corn, and shredded cheese to your turkey. Microwave brown rice. Serve bowl style with all your favorite toppings. I add salsa, sour cream, and some lettuce. For a healthier bowl, omit the rice and serve over greens. This is a good meal choice because it is so easy to customize to personal preferences and tastes. (Note – this meal is also great over nachos, just toss your cooked ground turkey mixture over a bed of chips in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.)
Have any weeknight dinner BFFs of your own? Let us know! Happy cooking and even happier eating, mamas!
