Stuffed Summer Squash with Ground Turkey & Feta
If there’s one vegetable that deserves a starring role in your summer kitchen, it’s summer squash. It’s showing up everywhere right now — farmers markets, grocery stores, maybe even your neighbor’s garden — and for good reason. This is peak season, which means it’s at its freshest, most flavorful, and most affordable.
Why I Love Summer Squash
It’s one of the most volume-friendly vegetables you can eat—low in calories but still filling, which makes it incredibly helpful for weight loss or lighter summer eating. It’s also packed with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants that support overall health. And from a practical standpoint, it’s easy to cook, versatile, and works in everything from simple sides to full meals like this one.
Don’t let the low calorie count fool you into thinking it’s nutritionally empty though. Summer squash is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese. It’s also a good source of antioxidants — including lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health — and it delivers both soluble and insoluble fiber, which means it’s great for digestion and blood sugar balance.
It’s also incredibly easy to cook, endlessly versatile, and honestly beautiful on a plate — which never hurts when you’re trying to make healthy eating feel enjoyable rather than like a chore.
This recipe pairs summer squash with lean ground turkey and feta for a dinner that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying. Think of it as a side dish that decided to grow up and become the main event.
Stuffed Summer Squash with Ground Turkey & Feta
Serves 4 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
4 large yellow summer squash or zucchini, halved lengthwise
1 lb lean ground turkey (98%)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
¾ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions:
Step 1 — Prep the squash: Preheat oven to 400°F. Halve the squash lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the center flesh, leaving about a ¼-inch shell. Reserve the scooped flesh — don’t throw it away! Place the shells cut-side up on a lined baking sheet, brush lightly with olive oil, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 2 — Pre-roast the shells: Roast the empty squash shells for 10 minutes. This prevents them from getting watery once stuffed. Pull them out and set aside.
Step 3 — Cook the turkey filling: While the shells roast, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink — about 6–7 minutes. Season with oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Step 4 — Add the vegetables: Roughly chop the reserved squash flesh and add it to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes. Cook another 3–4 minutes until the tomatoes soften and any liquid cooks off. Remove from heat and stir in half the feta and most of the basil, saving some for garnish.
Step 5 — Stuff and top: Spoon the turkey filling generously into each pre-roasted squash shell. Top with remaining feta and Parmesan. Don’t be shy — pile it high!
Step 6 — Bake until golden: Return the stuffed squash to the 400°F oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, until the cheese is golden and the squash is fork-tender. For extra color, broil for the last 2 minutes.
Step 7 — Garnish and serve: Scatter remaining fresh basil over the top and serve immediately. Two halves per person makes a complete, satisfying meal.
Nutrition Per Serving (2 stuffed halves)
Calories: 285
Protein: 34g
Carbs: 10g
Fat: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Make it your own: Swap turkey for ground chicken or lean beef. Add chopped spinach or diced bell pepper to the filling. Make the filling up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate — just stuff and bake fresh when ready.
Summer is the perfect time to eat well without overthinking it — and recipes like this one make that easy. If you’re looking for more guidance on nutrition, meal planning, or reaching your health goals before the year is out, I’d love to help. Whether you’re just getting started with my Two-Week Detox Plan or ready for a fully personalized program, there’s something for everyone at BodyDesignsByMary. Reach out anytime — I’m always happy to hear from you!
Are you looking to transform your health? Mary works with clients all over the country developing personalized nutrition and exercise plans for weight loss and health. If you’re ready to get started on your journey to health and wellness contact her today!
