Description
This Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole is a healthy and comforting dish featuring lean ground turkey, fresh zucchini slices, savory Italian herbs, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly layered and baked to golden bubbly perfection, it offers a nutritious and delicious meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat the 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 chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Cook the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned all over.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Layer the casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the sliced zucchini. Spread half of the turkey mixture over the zucchini, then sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining zucchini, turkey mixture, and cheese to create two layers.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until it is bubbly and the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- Ensure zucchinis are sliced uniformly for even cooking.
- Draining the diced tomatoes helps prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead; refrigerate before baking and increase bake time slightly if baking from cold.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground turkey casserole, zucchini casserole, healthy comfort food, baked casserole, low fat dinner
