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A freshly baked ground turkey zucchini casserole in a white oval dish, topped with golden-brown melted cheese.
Reda

Cheesy Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole

A hearty and healthy casserole packed with lean ground turkey, fresh zucchini, and a savory tomato sauce, all topped with a layer of gooey melted cheese. A perfect one-pan meal for any night of the week!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Calories: 370

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole Base
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs ground turkey 93/7 lean recommended
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 medium zucchini about 2 lbs, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 tsp salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Savory Sauce
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes drained
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
For the Cheese Topping
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 9x13 Inch Casserole Dish
  • Large skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Prepare Ingredients
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  2. Lay the sliced zucchini on paper towels in a single layer. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with more paper towels. This is a crucial step to prevent a watery casserole.
Cook the Turkey Mixture
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), the remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and the black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Arrange half of the patted-dry zucchini slices in a single, even layer at the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
  2. Spoon the entire ground turkey mixture evenly over the zucchini layer.
  3. Top with the remaining zucchini slices, arranging them in an even layer.
  4. In a small bowl, toss together the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  5. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes it easier to slice. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

For a less watery casserole, it's crucial not to skip the step of salting and patting the zucchini dry. You can also add other vegetables like sliced bell peppers or mushrooms to the turkey mixture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.