Description
This Savory Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole is a delicious, healthy, and comforting dish that layers seasoned ground turkey and thinly sliced zucchini with marinara sauce and melted cheeses. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this casserole combines the low-carb goodness of zucchini with the rich flavors of Italian herbs and cheeses, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add 1 lb of ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir in 1 cup of marinara sauce and cook for another 2 minutes to combine flavors. Then remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Zucchini and Turkey: Arrange half of the thinly sliced 3 medium zucchinis in an even layer at the bottom of the baking dish. Spread half of the turkey mixture evenly over the zucchini layer.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup total) and grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup total) over the turkey layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining zucchini, turkey mixture, and cheeses to build the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole with aluminum 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.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice zucchinis evenly for consistent cooking.
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra 5-10 minutes to baking time when cooking cold.
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
