Description
This Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole is a flavorful, wholesome dish that combines lean ground turkey with hearty brown rice, black beans, corn, and a medley of southwestern spices. Topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese, it’s a satisfying and nutritious meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat an 11- by 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and prepare it for the casserole.
- Cook the turkey and onions: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and chopped onions, cooking while breaking up the turkey with a spatula or spoon until the turkey is just cooked through and onions are softened.
- Add spices: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and ground pepper. Cook everything together for about 1 minute, allowing the spices to release their aromas and fully flavor the turkey mixture.
- Combine with rice and vegetables: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the cooked brown rice, diced green chiles, canned diced tomatoes, salsa, drained black beans, corn kernels, and minced cilantro. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the turkey and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the grated Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. This casserole is great for a comforting and healthy dinner option.
Notes
- This Southwestern Ground Turkey Casserole offers a balanced meal of lean protein, fiber-rich beans and rice, and flavorful spices, making it a healthy and hearty dinner choice.
- The recipe comes together in about 30 to 36 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Feel free to swap the Monterey Jack cheese with a low-fat cheese option to reduce calories and fat.
- To make it spicier, add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper according to your taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated well for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 10.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 5.5 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 48 mg
