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Healthy Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole Recipe You’ll Love

healthy ground turkey zucchini casserole - featured image

This hearty casserole is packed with lean ground turkey, fresh zucchini, and melted cheese, making it a wholesome and indulgent comfort food perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 2 medium-sized zucchini, shredded or sliced thinly
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Optional: 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • Optional: 1 cup fresh or frozen spinach
  • Optional: 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (panko or gluten-free)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash and shred or thinly slice the zucchini. If shredding, use a clean kitchen towel to gently squeeze out excess moisture.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  4. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the turkey is fully browned.
  5. Pour the tomato sauce into the skillet with the cooked turkey and vegetables. Stir well to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  6. In a greased baking dish, layer half of the shredded or sliced zucchini on the bottom. Spread half of the turkey mixture over the zucchini, then sprinkle with half the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini, turkey mixture, and cheese.
  7. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
  8. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Slice into portions and enjoy!

Notes

[‘Take your time sautéing the onion and garlic to build a flavorful base.’, ‘Drain excess moisture from shredded zucchini to prevent a watery casserole.’, ‘Be generous with Italian seasoning and paprika for bold flavor.’, ‘Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and richer taste.’, ‘Customize layers with extra veggies like spinach or bell peppers.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy casserole, ground turkey recipe, zucchini casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, gluten-free, low-carb, meal prep