Description
This Ground Turkey Taco Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish that's perfect for a family dinner. Combining lean ground turkey, black beans, rice, and a blend of Mexican-inspired spices, it's a wholesome one-dish meal topped with melted colby jack cheese and customizable toppings like avocado and sour cream. Baked to perfection then broiled for a bubbly golden finish, it's easy to prepare and sure to satisfy taco cravings in casserole form.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa (plus ½ to 1 cup for serving)
- ⅔ cup white rice
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained
- 1 (7-oz) can green chilis
- 1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
- 3 cups grated colby jack cheese
Toppings
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 3 stalks green onion, chopped
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 13” x 9” casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Brown Turkey: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Add the ground turkey, breaking it into bite-sized pieces with a spatula. Cook until mostly browned with little pink remaining, seasoning lightly with sea salt.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, combine the chopped red bell pepper, minced garlic, chili powder, chicken broth, 1 cup salsa, uncooked white rice, drained black beans, green chilis, and sea salt. Stir thoroughly to mix all ingredients.
- Mix in Turkey and Add Cheese: Fold in the cooked ground turkey and onion mixture into the baking dish contents. Evenly sprinkle the grated colby jack cheese over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. This allows the rice to cook and flavors to meld.
- Remove Foil: Carefully take the casserole out of the oven, and remove the foil covering.
- Broil to Finish: Set the oven to the high broil setting. Place the casserole back in and broil for 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown. Note that the casserole will appear slightly liquidy at this point, but the liquid will be absorbed by the rice as it cools.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve warm with your choice of toppings such as sliced avocado, sour cream, chopped green onions, extra salsa, corn chips, or any other preferred toppings.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, add diced jalapeños or hot salsa to taste.
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean beef if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the chili powder to 1 or 2 tablespoons.
- To make it gluten-free, verify that your chicken broth and salsa contain no gluten additives.
