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Ground Turkey Taco Casserole Recipe

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This Ground Turkey Taco Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Loaded with seasoned ground turkey, black beans, bell peppers, and rice, all baked together with melted colby jack cheese, it offers a delicious taco-inspired taste without the hassle of assembling individual tacos. Simple to prepare and customizable with your favorite toppings like avocado, sour cream, and salsa, this casserole is comforting, nutritious, and sure to satisfy the whole family.

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
  • 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
  • ½ cup to 1 cup salsa

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a 13” x 9” casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Sauté onion and turkey: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the raw ground turkey to the skillet and break it apart with a spatula into bite-sized pieces. Cook until most of the pink is gone but not fully cooked through. Lightly season with sea salt.
  3. Combine ingredients in casserole dish: In the prepared baking dish, add chopped red bell pepper, minced garlic, chili powder, chicken broth, salsa, uncooked white rice, drained black beans, green chilis, and sea salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Add turkey mixture and cheese: Stir in the cooked onion and ground turkey mixture to the casserole contents. Sprinkle the grated colby jack cheese evenly over the top.
  5. Bake covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
  6. Remove foil: Carefully take the casserole out of the oven and remove the foil cover.
  7. Broil cheese: Switch your oven to the High Broil setting. Broil the casserole for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown. Note that the casserole may appear slightly liquidy at first, but the liquid will absorb into the rice as it rests.
  8. Serve and garnish: Serve the casserole warm with optional toppings such as sliced avocado, chopped green onions, sour cream, additional salsa, guacamole, corn chips, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, black olives, pico de gallo, or extra shredded cheese to elevate the flavors.

Notes

  • Use either avocado oil or olive oil depending on your preference for a healthy fat option.
  • If you prefer, substitute white rice with brown rice, but cooking times may need adjustment.
  • Covering the casserole with foil during baking helps rice cook evenly and prevents the cheese from burning.
  • Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to allow the liquid to absorb completely.
  • Feel free to add jalapeños for extra spice or swap colby jack cheese with cheddar for a sharper taste.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/ground-turkey-taco-casserole-recipe/