Dumpling Lasagna Skillet Turkey (Print Version)

One-pan skillet combining ground turkey, cabbage, dumplings, cheese, and tomato sauce for a hearty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How to Make It:

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. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, 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 clean plate.
05 - Arrange half the dumpling wrappers over the 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 cheese.
07 - Layer the reserved turkey-cabbage mixture on top, followed by the remaining dumpling wrappers.
08 - Spread the remaining marinara sauce over the wrappers, then dollop with the remaining ricotta. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
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 - Remove the lid or foil and place the skillet under the oven broiler 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 allow the layers to set.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's a complete meal in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying actual food with people you like.
  • That moment when the cheese gets bubbly and the dumpling wrappers turn translucent—it feels like you've done something fancy without the stress.
  • Ground turkey keeps it light enough that you won't feel weighed down, but the cheese and sauce make it genuinely satisfying.
02 -
  • Don't skip removing half the turkey mixture before layering—it distributes the filling evenly so you get all the flavors in every bite instead of just cheese and wrappers in some forks.
  • The broiler step is non-negotiable if you want that golden, slightly crispy cheese top; steaming alone leaves it pale and a little sad.
  • If your dumpling wrappers are thin and delicate, they can tear when you're arranging them—have an extra one or two on hand just in case.
03 -
  • Room temperature ricotta spreads easier than cold ricotta straight from the fridge—let it sit out while you're cooking the turkey.
  • If your skillet isn't oven-safe or you're worried about the handle, transfer everything to a baking dish after the cooking step but before the broil.
Go Back