Dumpling Lasagna Skillet Turkey (Print Version)

A savory skillet layered with turkey, cabbage, dumplings, and cheese for a comforting, flavorful dish.

# Components:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small head green cabbage, shredded (approximately 4 cups)
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauces and Dairy

05 - 2 cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce
06 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Dumpling Layer

09 - 10 to 12 round dumpling wrappers

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
02 - Add ground turkey, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to the skillet. Cook while breaking up the meat until browned and cooked through, approximately 6 to 7 minutes.
03 - Stir in shredded cabbage and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Pour in 1 cup of marinara sauce and simmer for 2 minutes.
04 - Remove half the turkey-cabbage mixture from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
05 - Arrange half the dumpling wrappers over the remaining mixture in the skillet, overlapping as needed to cover the surface.
06 - Spread half the ricotta over the wrappers. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
07 - Layer the reserved turkey-cabbage mixture on top of the cheese, distributing evenly.
08 - Arrange the remaining dumpling wrappers over the turkey-cabbage layer. Spread the remaining marinara sauce evenly, then dollop with the remaining ricotta. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
09 - Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and cook over low heat for 10 minutes to steam the dumpling wrappers until tender.
10 - Uncover the skillet and broil under the oven grill for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
11 - Allow the skillet to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving to portions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying what you made.
  • The dumpling wrappers get tender and absorbent without any of the fussy steaming that usually intimidates people.
  • It tastes like comfort food had a brilliant idea and actually followed through on it.
02 -
  • Don't skip the low-heat steaming step—that's what transforms the dumpling wrappers from chewy and stiff to tender and flavorful without them turning into mush.
  • If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish before broiling, but cooking it all in one vessel from start to finish is the whole point.
03 -
  • Don't skip browning the turkey properly—those golden bits are where the deepest flavor lives, and they're worth taking an extra minute to develop.
  • Taste your marinara sauce before adding it—if it's too acidic, a pinch of sugar helps balance it, and if it's bland, a dash of salt and the Italian herbs wake it up immediately.
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