Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole (Print Version)

Hearty turkey and vegetables baked under a golden cheesy crust for a cozy, gluten-free dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium zucchinis, diced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Dairy

06 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream

→ Pantry

09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 tsp paprika
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes.
04 - Stir in diced zucchini, bell pepper, and drained tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
05 - Add Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Mix in sour cream and half of the mozzarella cheese until well incorporated.
07 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
08 - Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan evenly over the top.
09 - Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
10 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet before hitting the oven, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
  • The zucchini releases moisture as it bakes, creating this incredible self-saucing effect without any heavy cream or roux
02 -
  • Draining those tomatoes thoroughly is absolutely non-negotiable—I learned this the hard way when my first attempt turned into more of a soup than a casserole
  • Letting the cooked mixture cool slightly before folding in the sour cream prevents it from separating and creating weird white streaks through your casserole
03 -
  • Grating your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated makes a massive difference in how well it melts and the depth of flavor
  • Room temperature sour cream incorporates more smoothly—if you forget to take it out, microwave it for 15 seconds before folding in

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