Comforting Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe: Family’s Favorite

Comfort arrives in a steaming ground turkey casserole that promises warmth and satisfaction on chilly evenings.

Packed with rich flavors and tender ingredients, this dish delivers a nutritious meal that everyone craves.

Lean ground turkey blends seamlessly with creamy textures and vibrant vegetables.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this casserole comes together with minimal preparation.

Each forkful offers a delightful mix of protein and hearty vegetables that dance across your palate.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable dinner solution that feels like a culinary embrace.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this weeknight wonder.

Additions and Flavor Swaps to Match Your Mood

• Cook the entire casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 days, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Swap ground turkey for chicken or lean ground beef to match your protein preferences without changing the recipe's core flavors.
• Add extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or carrots to increase nutrition and create more texture in the casserole.
• Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with dietary restrictions.
• Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the delicious Italian-inspired taste profile.

How to Serve This Casserole at Dinner

• Friendly Family Feast: Serve this hearty ground turkey casserole with a crisp side salad to balance the rich, cheesy dish. The fresh greens add a light, refreshing contrast.
• Crowd-Pleasing Sides: Pair with garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The bread complements the casserole's robust flavors and adds extra texture.
• Healthy Herb Finish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top just before serving. The bright green herbs provide a pop of color and fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Reheating Tips for a Leftover Casserole Win

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to maintain quality for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire dish in a 350F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Divide the casserole into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners. This method helps control portion sizes and makes meal prep a breeze.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Ground Turkey Casserole

• Pasta: Provides hearty foundation, choose short shapes like penne or rotini for easy scooping and sauce absorption.
• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that adds rich flavor, select fresh ground turkey with moderate fat content for juiciness.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds deep flavor profile, pick firm onions with no soft spots.
• Bell Pepper: Adds sweet crunch and vibrant color, choose peppers with smooth, glossy skin.
• Zucchini: Introduces moisture and subtle earthiness, select firm zucchini with bright green color.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Creates tangy, rich sauce base, look for San Marzano or vine-ripened varieties.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers authentic Mediterranean herb blend, ensures well-rounded taste complexity.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.
• Mozzarella, Parmesan Cheese: Provides creamy, golden topping, select freshly grated cheese for superior melting.
• Olive Oil: Enables smooth sautéing, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional bright garnish, adds fresh herbal note and visual appeal.

Tools for Layering and Baking Ground Turkey Casserole

• Large skillet: Essential for sautéing turkey, onions, and vegetables with even heat distribution.
• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing cooked pasta and turkey mixture thoroughly.
• 9×13 inch baking dish: Ideal for assembling and baking the casserole with proper sizing.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and parsley.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and breaking up ground turkey while cooking.
• Colander: Used for draining pasta after boiling.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately adding seasonings and salt.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.

How to Make a Filling Ground Turkey Casserole

• Pasta Prep

Boil pasta in salty water until perfectly cooked. Drain and set aside, ready for the flavor explosion.

• Veggie and Turkey Dance

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Toss in onions and let them soften and become translucent. Add garlic, bell peppers, and zucchini, creating a colorful vegetable medley. Introduce ground turkey and break it into delicious crumbles, browning it beautifully.

• Sauce Magic

Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper, then let the mixture simmer and develop rich, deep flavors.

• Casserole Assembly

Warm up the oven to 375F. Combine the pasta and turkey mixture in a big bowl. Transfer this delightful blend to a greased baking dish. Shower the top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a golden, melty finish.

• Bake and Serve

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake uncovered until the cheese turns bubbly and golden, about 20-25 minutes. Let it rest for a few minutes, then serve this comforting meal with an optional sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Hearty Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty “ground turkey casserole” brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with its rich, satisfying blend of lean protein and wholesome vegetables. Families will savor each cheesy, flavorful bite of this simple yet delicious midweek meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground turkey
• 1 cup (237 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups (200 g) uncooked pasta (rotini or penne)
• 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz/227 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Immerse pasta in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly tender. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Protein and Vegetable Sauté: Heat olive oil in a expansive skillet over moderate temperature. Gently soften onions, then introduce garlic, bell peppers, and zucchini. Incorporate ground turkey, browning completely while fragmenting meat with a wooden utensil.
3. Sauce Development: Integrate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow mixture to gently simmer, developing rich flavors and melding ingredients.
4. Casserole Assembly: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine cooked pasta with turkey-vegetable mixture in a spacious mixing vessel. Transfer to a greased rectangular baking dish. Lavishly sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the surface.
5. Baking and Finishing: Roast uncovered until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling blanket. Remove from oven and permit brief resting period. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Slightly undercook pasta during initial boiling since it continues cooking in the casserole, preventing mushy results.
• Pat ground turkey and vegetables dry before cooking to ensure better browning and prevent watery casserole consistency.
• Grate cheese fresh for superior melting and more even coverage across the casserole surface.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options, use low-fat cheese for lighter version, and substitute ground turkey with plant-based protein for vegetarian adaptation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg