This cozy one-pot dinner is hearty, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights. Brian makes it for us at least once a week! We also love it as leftovers or meal prep.
The best part? It’s simple and fast.
Serving size 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 package ground turkey
- 1/4 cup vegetable stock
- 1.5 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa (see below the recipe for cooking instructions. These are great to meal prep to have on hand.)
- 3 cups of fresh vegetables of your choice (or we love using the frozen Costco stir-fry blend that has carrots, snap peas, green beans, broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, water chestnuts, and onions. It’s fast and so easy)
- 1 glass jar of organic tomato sauce (or homemade sauce – see below)
- Seasonings: Salt, basil, paprika (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
- Turkey
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable stock over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey and break it apart as it cooks. Stir until browned and fully cooked (about 8–10 minutes).
- Add Vegetables:
- Stir in your vegetables of choice. Cook for 3–4 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add Tomato Sauce:
- Pour in the organic tomato sauce (or homemade sauce- see easy recipe below).
- Add Brown Rice or Quinoa:
- Stir in the cooked brown rice or quinoa.
- Simmer:
- Cover your pot and let simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season to Taste:
- Add salt, basil, and paprika. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Enjoy!
Homemade Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or to your liking)
- 8 fresh tomatoes, blanched, peeled, and chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (or 1 tsp dried basil)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional- I love this!)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (for a hint of spice)
Instructions
- Sauté:
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute- careful not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes
- Simmer the Sauce:
- Stir in the basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar:
- In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the balsamic vinegar to taste
Brown Rice Cooking Instructions
- Rinse the Rice:
- Rinse 1.5 cups of brown rice under cold water
- Measure Water:
- Add 3 cups of water (a 1:2 ratio of rice to water) to a pot.
- Cook:
- Bring the water to a boil, then add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt (optional).
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 45–50 minutes.
- Rest and Fluff:
- Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
Quinoa Cooking Instructions
- Rinse the Quinoa:
- Rinse 1.5 cups of quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer
- Measure Water:
- Add 3 cups of water or broth (a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to liquid) to a pot.
- Cook:
- Bring the water or broth to a boil, then add the rinsed quinoa and a pinch of salt (optional).
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid.
- Rest and Fluff:
- Remove the pot from heat and let the quinoa rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
