Tuscan White Bean & Ground Turkey Skillet (One Pot)

This year, I’ve been trying hard to get more protein and fiber into my family’s diet and less sugar. It can be tough with kids, especially when one is an extra picky eater. Getting everyone to eat a balanced meal can be a huge challenge sometimes. That’s how this Tuscan White Bean & Ground Turkey Skillet came about.

I wanted an easy, one pot dinner that was both kid-friendly and nutritious. I swapped out traditional sausage for lean ground turkey, kept the classic Tuscan white beans, and even added protein pasta for an extra boost of protein and fiber. It’s quick, easy and a meal our whole family actually likes.

If you have any extra picky eaters in the house too, just skip an ingredient they might not like. I make my daughter’s plate without the spinach, for example.

It’s also a great recipe for people without kids. Even if you’re cooking this for just one or two people, it works because this makes great leftovers and is excellent for meal prep.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE MY TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SKILLET

Quick & Easy – Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
One-Pot Meal – You know how much I love one pot meals. Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less mess and easy cleanup!
High in Protein & Fiber – Thanks to lean ground turkey, Tuscan white beans, and protein pasta, this dish is packed with nutrients while still being super flavorful.
Family-Friendly – Mild flavors, a hearty texture, and a comforting feel make this a hit with both kids and adults.
Easily Customizable – Swap the protein, add extra veggies, or adjust the seasoning to fit your family’s taste.

INGREDIENTS

• Ground turkey – A lean, high-protein alternative to sausage or beef, giving this dish a hearty texture while keeping it lighter and healthier.
• White onion – Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor as it caramelizes in the skillet, forming the perfect base for the dish.
• Garlic – I use minced garlic, since I always have a jar of it in the refrigerator, but you can also use about 3 cloved. Finely chop them.
• Sun-dried tomatoes – Adds an umami-packed taste that enhances the dish’s Tuscan-inspired richness.
• Tomato paste – A concentrated burst of rich tomato flavor that deepens the sauce and adds a touch of natural sweetness.
• Chicken broth – The base of the sauce and what the pasta cooks in, adding that much more flavor.
• Protein pasta – or regular pasta. I fell in love with the Brami brand of protein pasta, so I’ve been using that a lot lately. It has way more protein and fiber than regular pasta and doesn’t taste any different. (This is NOT a sponsored post! I genuinely love this brand and want to share it with you guys. I’ve tried many different brands of protein pastas and haven’t liked any until this brand.)
• Seasoning – Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper.
• Butter – Adds a rich and velvety texture, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes.
• White beans – Cannellini or great northern beans work great in this.
• Fresh spinach – I love adding fresh spinach into my recipes wherever I can. It adds extra nutrients and takes no prep. It’s also super mild so it never takes away from the flavors in the dish.
• Heavy cream – A splash of cream to smooth out the sauce and make it extra comforting.
• Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses add even more creamy deliciousness, as well as some extra protein.

For another easy, one pot pasta dish, try my Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta! It’s quick and loaded with flavor that comes from the super simple homemade alfredo sauce.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Start by heating some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the onion and ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes or so. Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix well so that the paste coats most of the ground turkey. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, pasta, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir well. Turn the heat up and bring to a gentle boil.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, or until pasta is soft and tender. (If you’re using a different pasta, check the cook time and use that. Check for doneness after the recommended time on the box.) 

Once pasta is done, turn the heat down to low. Add the butter, white beans, spinach, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until butter is melted and everything is well combined.

Turn off the heat, sprinkle the top with mozzarella, cover and let sit for 5 minutes to let the cheese melt and sauce thicken. Enjoy!

TIPS & NOTES

Ground Turkey Swap – This recipe would also work great with chicken sausage or Italian sausage, if you prefer either of those.

Makes Great Leftovers – This dish reheats perfectly. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Spice Level – I keep this dish mild, but if you want a little heat, just increase the amount of red pepper flakes.