Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole: A Comforting and Healthy Meal

Looking for a delicious and easy dinner recipe that’s also healthy? This Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole is the perfect solution! It’s a family-friendly meal that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any extra zucchini you have in your fridge.

This casserole is balanced, comforting, and requires minimal side dishes or extra preparation. It’s a reliable recipe to turn to when you need something easy and satisfying. The combination of lean ground turkey, fresh zucchini, and a simple cheesy topping creates a flavorful and wholesome dish.

If you’re a fan of casseroles, you might also enjoy our Broccoli Alfredo Casserole with Ground Beef. It’s another fantastic option for a hearty and delicious meal.

A delicious serving of Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole.

This Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole features lean ground turkey, sliced zucchini, diced tomatoes, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. The ingredients are cooked together on the stovetop and then baked in the oven with a light breadcrumb topping for added texture and flavor. It’s a practical casserole that works well for leftovers, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping or enjoying a second serving the next day. This recipe keeps the ingredients simple while still delivering a complete and fulfilling meal.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This casserole is perfect for those times when you want a warm and filling meal without a lot of preparation or cleanup. The turkey and zucchini cook together effortlessly, and the cheese binds everything together beautifully. It reheats well and doesn’t dry out, making it ideal for leftovers.

Total Time: About 40 minutes
Perfect For: Busy weeknights
Key Ingredients: Ground turkey, zucchini, tomatoes
Servings: 4 to 6
Skill Level: Easy
Storage: Refrigerator friendly

If you enjoy vegetable casseroles, you might also like our Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole. It’s another delicious and comforting option!

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Ingredients for Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole

Let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need to create this flavorful Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole.

Ground Turkey: Cooks quickly and remains tender after baking. You can also substitute ground beef or chicken.
Zucchini: Softens in the casserole, adding a mild and slightly sweet flavor. It’s a great source of vitamins and minerals.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and creates a delicious, cheesy topping.

Looking for another easy oven dinner? Check out our Chicken Black Bean and Rice Casserole for a Tex-Mex twist.

Full Ingredients List

Here’s a detailed list of all the ingredients you’ll need, along with their specific amounts.

1 lb lean ground turkey or ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 zucchini, sliced
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, divided
¾ cup mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup Italian-style panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Nonstick cooking spray

A printable recipe card with the full ingredient list and exact amounts is available below. Save it for later!

Swaps & Substitutions

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! Here are some easy swaps and substitutions you can make.

Ground turkey can be replaced with ground beef, ground chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute.
Panko breadcrumbs can be replaced with crushed crackers, regular breadcrumbs, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole: Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Ground turkey and onion cooking in a skillet

Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey, diced onion, and minced garlic until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat if needed.

Zucchini and tomatoes added to skillet with turkey

Step 3: Stir in the oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.

Step 4: Add the drained diced tomatoes and sliced zucchini. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini begins to soften.

Cheese being sprinkled over the casserole

Step 5: Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.

Step 6: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over the top.

Unbaked casserole with breadcrumb topping

Step 8: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole.

Step 9: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top.

Find detailed, printable instructions in the recipe card below.

Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole Variations

Get creative and add your own personal touch to this casserole! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Add sliced mushrooms for extra volume and earthy flavor.
Use seasoned ground Italian turkey for a more robust flavor profile.
Stir in cooked rice to stretch the casserole further and make it even more filling.

If you’re preparing two casseroles at once, our Broccoli Alfredo Casserole with Ground Beef is another fantastic option to consider.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Casserole

Slice the zucchini evenly so it cooks at the same rate.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking before serving. This allows the cheese to set and makes it easier to slice.
The breadcrumb topping adds a delightful texture without overpowering the dish.

Recipe FAQs – Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole

Can this be made ahead of time?: Yes, you can assemble the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Does zucchini need to be peeled?: No, the zucchini skin softens beautifully during cooking, adding a bit of extra texture and nutrients.
Can this be frozen?: This casserole freezes best after baking and cooling completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or store it in an airtight container.
Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?: Yes, ground beef works perfectly well with the same seasonings. You can also use ground chicken or a plant-based ground meat alternative.

For a meatless option, our Black Bean Casserole is a perfect choice.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious ways to serve your Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole.

Serve with a simple green salad for a complete and balanced meal.
Pair it with garlic bread or our Easy One Hour Dinner Rolls for a comforting side.

For a Tex-Mex twist on a casserole, try our Chicken Black Bean and Rice Casserole.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Instructions

Learn how to properly store and reheat your Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole for the best results.

Fridge: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: Freeze baked portions for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or store in an airtight freezer-safe container.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or in the microwave until heated completely through. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first.

This recipe reheats just as easily as our Broccoli Alfredo Casserole with Ground Beef.

More Great Casserole Dinners

Explore some of our other favorite casserole recipes for even more dinner inspiration.

Broccoli Alfredo Casserole with Ground Beef

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken Black Bean and Rice Casserole

Black Bean Casserole

Pin this recipe on Pinterest so you have it saved when you need it!

Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground turkey or ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 zucchini, sliced
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, divided
¾ cup mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup Italian-style panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey, diced onion, and minced garlic until meat is fully cooked and onion is softened. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add diced tomatoes and sliced zucchini. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until zucchini starts to soften.
Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Sprinkle remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over the top.
In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly over casserole.
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top.

Notes:

This casserole is best after resting a few minutes. Drain tomatoes to prevent extra moisture. Ground beef is a great substitute. Leftovers reheat very well.

Nutrition:

*Nutritional information is an estimate only.