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Hey, friends!
Are you in the mood for a warm, comforting dish? I’ve got you covered!
Today, I’m excited to share my ground turkey zucchini casserole!
It’s packed with flavor and super healthy, too. Plus, it’s an easy one-pan meal—perfect for busy nights!
You’re going to want to give this a try. Let’s dive right in!
Possible Ingredient Alternatives
Ground turkey can be replaced with ground chicken or lean ground beef for similar protein content and texture. For a vegetarian option, use crumbled firm tofu or plant-based ground meat substitute, adjusting cooking time as needed. Zucchini can be substituted with yellow squash, eggplant, or bell peppers, maintaining the dish’s vegetable content and texture. Use a similar quantity and adjust cooking time if needed. Kerrygold aged cheddar can be swapped with another aged cheese like Gruyère or Parmesan for a similar sharp flavor. For a dairy-free alternative, use nutritional yeast or a plant-based cheese substitute, adjusting the amount to taste. When using nutritional yeast, start with about 1/4 cup and increase as desired for cheesy flavor.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 25-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1400
- Protein: 90-100 g
- Fat: 70-80 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds zucchini, diced
- 2 cups cooked groats (or brown rice, quinoa, etc.)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 7 ounces kerrygold aged cheddar, shredded
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s ready for baking once the mixture is prepared.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Turkey
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey to the skillet.
Cook the turkey, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, until it begins to brown.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the browned turkey.
Cook for approximately 2 minutes, until the onions begin to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
Then, add the zucchini and continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the zucchini starts to soften.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients
To the skillet, add groats, diced tomatoes, oregano, paprika, basil, and half of the shredded cheese.
Stir everything together until the mixture is fully combined, ensuring the groats are mixed in well and starting to soak up the tomato juices.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
Coat a 9X13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Pour the turkey and vegetable mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly.
Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
At this point, you can choose to cover the dish tightly with foil and freeze it for later use—be sure to defrost before cooking.
Alternatively, proceed to bake immediately.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
If baking now, place the dish, uncovered, in the preheated oven.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and slightly golden.
Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your hearty and delicious meal!
