Casseroles are the best dish to serve for occasions or simple family dinners. These one-dish meals are always a delight to make, and this cheesy ground turkey casserole recipe is no exception! This casserole dish is filled mostly with rice mixed with cooked ground turkey and vegetables. Then, it’s baked with added breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, and green chillies on top for extra flavor and texture. Serve this cheesy and savory ground turkey and rice casserole dish alongside delicious greens like a chickpea salad.
Tips on Making Cheesy Ground Turkey Casserole
This cheesy ground turkey casserole is perfect for when you’re rushing to make a lunch or dinner meal. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious serving of this casserole dish. Since it’s such a simple recipe, try mixing it up by adding in more flavorful ingredients. Make this casserole dish taste even better with some of our helpful tips and variations below:
- Use ground chicken or ground beef as turkey meat substitutes. Either meat works great for this recipe. Remember though that beef has more fat so you might need to drain it first. Overall, there won’t be any major changes in texture, except for the flavors. Don’t worry though, each one tastes just as delicious!
- Add in more greens like corn, diced tomatoes, collard greens, Swiss chard, chopped kale, or black beans. Adding in more vegetables will give your casserole that extra crunch and crisp which tastes especially good with the soft white rice. Mix and match some of your favorite veggies for a much more exciting turkey casserole dish.
- Use different kinds of rice. Besides basmati rice, you can also use plain white rice. However, if you want a healthier alternative, then quinoa or brown rice also works well. Although, there will be a difference in cooking time. Brown rice, for instance, takes longer to cook and needs water. Either way, it’s a delicious recipe variation worth making and adding to your list of healthy casserole recipes!
- Try other shredded cheeses. Instead of cheddar cheese, you can also use Colby jack, Monterey jack, or Swiss cheese. Try spicing it up with some pepper jack cheese. Or, add a little more gooeyness with mozzarella cheese or Provolone.
- Garnish with toppings like fresh herbs, spices, or even sour cream. Aside from the chilies, you can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for more heat. For a simpler garnish, a classic chopped parsley or cilantro would also work. Meanwhile, sour cream can add an extra layer of delicious tanginess to the savory dish.
Craving for more delicious ground turkey casserole recipes? Try out this special potato au gratin casserole, or a unique hamburger cabbage casserole dish.
How To Make Cheesy Ground Turkey Casserole
This cheesy ground turkey casserole recipe is a savory dish with a subtle spicy, crunchy, and gooey topping made of breadcrumbs, green chilies, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 cups basmati rice, or white rice
- 2 cups red onion, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 10 oz cream of mushroom soup, (1 can)
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 4 oz green chiles, chopped, divided into 3
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil, for cooking
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
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Preheat Oven to 375 degrees F. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high.
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Saute turkey with salt and pepper.
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Cook the meat thoroughly and add the onion and garlic.
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Add in the broth, cream of mushroom, rice, and chiles.
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Let this cook for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender.
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Transfer to a casserole or baking dish.
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Top with breadcrumbs, cheese, and some chiles, and broil on high for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and browning.
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Garnish with the chilis.
Nutrition
- Sugar: 6g
- :
- Calcium: 227mg
- Calories: 920kcal
- Carbohydrates: 145g
- Cholesterol: 81mg
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 6g
- Iron: 4mg
- Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Potassium: 874mg
- Protein: 49g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 1962mg
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Vitamin A: 177IU
- Vitamin C: 18mg
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cook rice before putting it in the casserole?
No, you don’t need to cook or pre-boil the rice for this ground turkey casserole recipe. In general, any casserole rice dish will not require you to cook the rice beforehand. The uncooked rice will cook perfectly in the oven because of all the liquid from the casserole. Additionally, for this recipe, the uncooked rice was already cooked a bit with the thick broth mixture so that it softens a little, and adds flavor. That’s why you absolutely don’t need to cook the rice in advance!
Can I substitute pasta for rice in a casserole?
Yes, you can. The best pasta to use as a substitute for a casserole with rice recipe is orzo or couscous. These pastas look similar to a grain of rice which makes them perfect for when you don’t have any rice on hand. With these types of pasta substitute, you can make a ground turkey pasta bake recipe variation. Although, it would be completely different from the regular pasta bakes that use thick or short, spiral noodles. Nevertheless, it’s a unique pasta bake worth trying out!
Conclusion
Don’t let leftover ground turkey go to waste! Make a deliciously cheesy ground turkey casserole instead. It’s complete with rice, cooked turkey meat, aromatics, and shredded cheese so your stomach will surely be satisfied. Pair this dish alongside some of your favorite side dishes for a hefty and appetizing meal.Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
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