Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole – Healthy Comfort Food Recipe
This Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole is a healthy and comforting dish combining lean ground turkey, fresh zucchini, and melted mozzarella cheese. Flavored with garlic, onion, diced tomatoes, and Italian herbs, it offers a delicious low-carb, protein-packed meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Seasonings & Others
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook until browned thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Season: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the sliced zucchini evenly. Spread half of the turkey mixture on top, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini, turkey mixture, and cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top turns golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to set and to prevent burns.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken or lean beef for the turkey if preferred.
- Drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes while cooking the ground turkey.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: ground turkey casserole, zucchini casserole, healthy comfort food, low carb casserole, baked turkey dish, easy weeknight dinner
