Baked Feta & Ground Turkey Skillet (40g Protein)

Published: 8/24/2026

Inspired by the juicy simplicity of Finnish meatballs (lihapullat), this skillet skips the rolling but keeps the flavor. Lean ground turkey is seared for deep savoriness before being baked into a creamy feta and tomato base.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey
• 7 oz (200 g) block of feta cheese
• 2 cups (360 g) cherry tomatoes
• 1 tsp (~2 g) dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a cast-iron skillet, heat 1 tsp of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and sear until browned, breaking it into large chunks. This Maillard reaction is critical for depth of flavor.
3. Move the turkey to the edges of the skillet and place the feta block in the center. Surround with the cherry tomatoes and garlic.
4. Drizzle with the remaining oil and the oregano.
5. Bake for 20 minutes until the tomatoes have burst.
6. Remove from the oven, mash the feta and tomatoes into a rustic sauce, and stir the turkey back through.

Pro Tips

• Carry-over Cooking: Remove the skillet when the turkey is just cooked; the residual heat of the cast iron will keep the meat juicy without over-drying it.

See Also

• Baked Feta & Turkey Meatball Skillet
• Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs
• High-Protein Ground Turkey Macaroni Bake

Categories: mains, comfort-food