Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole – Healthy Comfort Food Recipe
This Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole is a healthy and comforting dish, combining lean ground turkey with fresh zucchini, savory Italian herbs, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, this casserole layers sautéed turkey and tomatoes with fresh zucchini slices and cheese, baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Canned Goods and Seasonings
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Oils and Fats
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook it thoroughly until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the sliced zucchini evenly. Spread half of the turkey and tomato mixture over the zucchini. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat the layering with the remaining zucchini, turkey mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool slightly, about 5 minutes, before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the canned diced tomatoes to avoid excess liquid making the casserole watery.
- Using fresh mozzarella or part-skim can reduce fat if desired.
- You can substitute ground chicken or lean beef if preferred.
- Season to taste by adjusting salt and pepper levels.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or fresh basil before baking.
Keywords: ground turkey casserole, zucchini casserole, healthy comfort food, baked turkey dish, low fat dinner
