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Easy One-Pan Ground Turkey Taco Casserole

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A quick and easy one-pan casserole featuring lean ground turkey, taco spices, and pantry staples, perfect for busy school night dinners. This comforting and flavorful dish is a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn (about 5.3 oz)
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Ro*Tel)
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • Taco seasoning blend: 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • A handful fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon; cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
  6. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the turkey mixture and stir well to coat.
  7. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and cooked rice (if using); stir to combine until saucy but not soupy.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
  10. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes to set.
  11. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and optional toppings such as sour cream, avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime juice before serving.

Notes

[‘If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish before baking.’, ‘Use fresh garlic and spices for best flavor.’, ‘Drain and rinse beans to reduce excess starch and salt.’, ‘Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice.’, ‘Do not overfill the pan to ensure even cooking and proper cheese melting.’, ‘Let casserole rest 5 minutes after baking to set and avoid runniness.’, ‘For dairy-free, omit cheese or use plant-based alternatives and add avocado or dairy-free sour cream as toppings.’, ‘For vegetarian version, substitute ground turkey with extra beans, lentils, or tofu.’, ‘Add jalapeño or chipotle powder for a spicy kick.’, ‘Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey casserole, taco casserole, one-pan dinner, quick dinner, school night meal, easy casserole, family dinner, healthy taco recipe

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/easy-one-pan-ground-turkey-taco-casserole-recipe-for-quick-school-night-dinners/