Description
A healthy, family-friendly weeknight dinner featuring lean ground turkey, roasted bell peppers, and a creamy cheesy binding. This casserole is easy to make, kid-approved, and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey (93% lean)
- 3 medium bell peppers (red, yellow, orange mix preferred), halved and seeded
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend or Cheddar-Jack)
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (or ¼ cup each)
- 1 can (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 cup medium salsa
- Olive oil for roasting peppers
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place bell pepper halves cut-side up on the sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast for 15-20 minutes until tender and blistered. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- While peppers roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains (about 8 minutes).
- Add diced onion to the skillet in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Stir in garlic, cumin, and chili powder; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in salsa, black beans, and corn. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream (or yogurt) and half of the shredded cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Transfer turkey mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread evenly and top with roasted peppers.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are bubbling. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispy top.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Roasting the peppers is essential for flavor and texture; do not boil them. Ensure beans and corn are thoroughly drained to prevent a watery casserole. Use 93% lean turkey to maintain moisture. This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the cassero
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 28
Keywords: ground turkey casserole, healthy dinner, family meals, meal prep, cheesy casserole, roasted peppers, weeknight dinner, gluten-free option