Description
This Savory Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make baked dish featuring lean ground turkey, fresh zucchini slices, flavorful marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines tender vegetables and seasoned meat in a comforting casserole baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes, to build a flavorful base.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning for balanced flavor.
- Add Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce with the cooked turkey and let it cook for another 2 minutes so the flavors meld. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Then arrange half of the thinly sliced zucchini in an even layer on the bottom of the dish.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread half of the turkey marinara mixture evenly over the zucchini layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Repeat Layers: Arrange the remaining zucchini slices over the cheese, spread the remaining turkey mixture on top, and finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the zucchini to soften and the flavors to blend.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown for a deliciously crisp top.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired for a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- For a lower carb option, substitute zucchini with yellow squash.
- You can use turkey breast or lean ground chicken as alternatives to ground turkey.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten free, ensure the marinara sauce is certified gluten free.
- Adding red pepper flakes can give a slight spicy kick if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
