Easy Ground Turkey Taco Casserole with Bold Mexican Flavors

Ground turkey, peppers, and taco seasonings bake into a layered casserole.

Ingredients

Measure the ingredients below before you begin. Optional additions are marked in the list.

• 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup salsa
• ⅔ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (7-oz) can green chiles
• 1 tsp sea salt, to taste
• 3 cups grated Colby Jack cheese
• 1 ripe avocado, cut into pieces (for serving)
• 3 stalks green onion, chopped (for serving)
• ½ cup sour cream (for serving)
• ½ cup to 1 cup salsa (for serving)

How to make it

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190°C) and lightly spray a 13" x 9" casserole dish with cooking spray.

2. Heat the avocado oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it softens.

3. Add the raw ground turkey to the skillet with the onion. Use a spatula to break it into small pieces. Cook until most of the pink is gone, but it does not need to be cooked through. Lightly sprinkle the turkey and onion mixture with sea salt.

4. In the prepared baking dish, combine the chopped bell pepper, minced garlic, chili powder, chicken broth, 1 cup salsa, uncooked white rice, drained black beans, green chiles, and 1 tsp sea salt. Mix everything together well.

5. Carefully layer the cooked ground turkey and onion mixture over the rice and bean mixture in the casserole dish. Then, evenly spread the 3 cups of grated Colby Jack cheese on top.

6. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

7. Remove the baking dish from the oven and carefully remove the foil.

8. Change your oven setting to High Broil. Broil the casserole for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and turns slightly golden brown. The casserole may appear a little watery at first, but the rice will absorb the liquid as it sits.

9. Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as cut avocado, chopped green onions, sour cream, and extra salsa.

Tips and serving

Cook the ground turkey to 165°F (74°C) and let the hot casserole settle briefly before serving.

For more ideas, try Healthy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe or Easy Korean-Style Ground Turkey Recipe for Healthy Dinners.