Name: Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients: 2 teaspoon olive oil; 1 pound lean ground turkey; 1 onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 3/4 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper; 2 cups cooked brown rice; 3 ounces canned diced green chiles; 1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes; 1 1/2 cups salsa (your favorite kind); 1 cup canned reduced sodium black beans, drained and rinsed; 3/4 cup corn kernels; 1/4 cup minced cilantro; 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

If you’re on the hunt for a delicious, comforting dinner that’s packed with bold flavors and healthy ingredients, then you’re going to love this Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe. Trust me, this dish quickly became one of my go-tos for busy weeknights because it’s hearty, comes together easily, and my family literally goes crazy for it every time I make it. Stick around, and I’ll share all my tips so you nail it perfectly every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthy & Lean Protein: Ground turkey adds a nice lean touch without sacrificing flavor or moisture.
Quick & Easy: You’ll have dinner on the table in around 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Flavor-Packed: A perfect blend of cumin, chili powder, and paprika makes every bite a fiesta.
One-Dish Wonder: This casserole combines protein, veggies, and grains for an all-in-one meal.

A close-up view of a layered casserole inside a white baking dish with a blue edge, placed on a shiny woven mat on a white marbled surface. The top layer looks like melted cheese with green chopped herbs sprinkled all over. A woman's hand is holding a metal spoon lifting a serving of the casserole, showing a mix of cooked rice, black beans, small yellow corn kernels, ground meat, red tomato pieces, and chopped green herbs all mixed together, making a colorful, textured scoop. The casserole has visible layers with melted cheese on top and a thick filling beneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

All these ingredients come together to build layers of flavor and texture that make this casserole so irresistible—plus, most of them are pantry staples, so it’s easy to pull together without a big shopping trip.

Olive oil: Helps to cook the turkey until juicy without sticking.
Lean ground turkey: Choose lean for the best balance of flavor and health.
Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and base flavor when sautéed.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic amps up the savory depth.
Ground cumin: The earthy spice that says southwestern all over.
Chili powder: Brings warmth and a little kick to the dish.
Paprika: A smoky note that rounds out the spices.
Salt and ground pepper: Balances and brightens all the flavors.
Cooked brown rice: Adds hearty texture and makes this a filling meal.
Canned diced green chiles: A little mild heat plus authentic southwestern flavor.
Can of petite diced tomatoes: Juicy bursts of freshness with a touch of acidity.
Salsa: Your favorite kind works here — I like a medium-heat tomato salsa for the best results.
Canned black beans: Rinsed and drained for extra protein and fiber.
Corn kernels: Adds a touch of sweetness and color.
Minced cilantro: Stirred in at the end for fresh herbiness.
Grated Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully on top for a cheesy finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to tweak it depending on what you have on hand or your dietary needs — I’ve customized it plenty of ways and it always works out great.

Spice Level Up: I sometimes add a diced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne when I want things hotter — but start small!
Vegetarian Version: Swap out the turkey for extra black beans and add in some sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.
Cheese Swap: Try cheddar or pepper jack if you want a sharper flavor profile.
Grain Alternatives: Quinoa or even cauliflower rice works well if you want a lower-carb version.

How to Make Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Brown the turkey and build your base flavors

Start by heating your olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey along with the chopped onion, and cook them together, breaking up the meat as it browns. This step is key — you want the turkey just cooked through but still juicy, and those onions well softened. Once the turkey is nearly done, stir in the minced garlic and your southwestern spices: cumin, chili powder, paprika, plus salt and pepper. Cooking this mixture for about a minute more helps those spices bloom and get aromatic. You’ll immediately notice the delicious, warming scent filling your kitchen!

Step 2: Mix in the hearty extras and combine

Remove the skillet from heat, then add the cooked brown rice, diced green chiles, petite diced tomatoes (with their juice), salsa, rinsed black beans, corn kernels, and chopped cilantro. Stir everything until it’s well combined — this step brings all the fresh and spicy notes together. At this point, your casserole filling is packed with color and texture; it’s basically begging to be baked!

Step 3: Bake and melt the cheese

Lightly spray an 11-by-7-inch baking dish with cooking spray, then transfer your turkey and rice mixture evenly into it. Top with the shredded Monterey Jack cheese — this little layer is what takes this dish from tasty to downright irresistible. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is bubbly and melted to perfection. I love to peek in at the 15-minute mark to make sure it’s cooking evenly and to resist the urge to dig in early.

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Pro Tips for Making Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Cooking the turkey until just pink prevents it from drying out in the oven.
Use Fresh Cilantro Last: Stir cilantro in after cooking to keep its bright flavor popping.
Salsa Matters: Pick a salsa you love since it’s a key flavor player—chunky, smooth, mild, or spicy.
Even Cheese Distribution: Sprinkle cheese evenly for consistent melt and flavor in every bite.

How to Serve Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe

In a black pan with silver handles, a colorful cooked rice dish is shown. It has three main layers mixed together: brown cooked ground meat, yellow corn kernels, and black beans, along with chopped onions and small red pepper pieces. Bright green chopped herbs sprinkle all over the dish. The mix looks moist and chunky, with a wooden spoon partly visible stirring the food. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like topping my casserole with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Sometimes I add sliced green onions or a few avocado slices if I want to get fancy. These garnishes add creaminess and freshness that balance the spices perfectly.

Side Dishes

This casserole is pretty much a one-pan meal, but I often pair it with a simple side salad or some roasted veggies for a little extra green. Cornbread or warm tortillas round it out beautifully, especially if you’re craving something bread-like to sop up the delicious juices.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve served this casserole in colorful individual ramekins, topped with avocado and a lime wedge on the side, which always impresses guests. Layered in a clear glass baking dish, you can even see all those gorgeous ingredients, making it as visually appealing as it is tasty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually divide it into portions so reheating is quick, and I keep the cheese topping with the casserole — it reheats nicely and keeps everything moist.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole a couple of times, and it holds up surprisingly well. I recommend freezing it before baking — just cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as usual, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

To reheat, pop your portion in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or use the microwave, stirring halfway through. Covering loosely with foil helps keep the moisture in so the casserole doesn’t dry out.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey in this casserole?

Absolutely! Ground chicken works just as well and provides a similar lean protein source. Just be sure to cook it until no longer pink, as you would with turkey, and adjust seasonings to taste if needed.
Is this casserole gluten-free?

Yes, this Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free salsa and canned goods. Always double-check labels if you have gluten sensitivities.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You sure can! Prep the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it super convenient for busy days or when hosting guests.
What can I substitute for Monterey Jack cheese?

Cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend cheese all work well if you want to switch things up. Choose one that melts nicely for the best results.
How spicy is this casserole?

Mild to medium depending on your salsa choice and the canned green chiles used. You can easily adjust the spiciness by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa and chiles.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole Recipe turns out — it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s balanced, flavorful, and nutritious, plus it’s so adaptable that you can make it uniquely yours without stress. I highly encourage you to give it a try; once you do, I bet it’ll become a staple in your own dinner rotation, just like it did in mine!