Description
A delicious and hearty Savory Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole combining lean turkey, fresh zucchinis, and melted cheeses baked to perfection. This comforting casserole is perfect for a nutritious family meal that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheeses and Sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Cook ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and dried Italian seasoning.
- Add marinara sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer zucchini and turkey mixture: Arrange half of the sliced zucchini in an even layer on the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the cooked turkey mixture over the zucchini. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top.
- Repeat layering: Repeat the layering process with the remaining zucchini, turkey mixture, and cheeses.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh zucchini for the best texture, but you can substitute yellow squash if desired.
- To reduce sodium, use a low-sodium marinara sauce and adjust salt accordingly.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture while cooking.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and baked before serving for convenience.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
