This healthy Greek Turkey, Rice and Feta Casserole is one of the easiest weeknight dinners I’ve made in a long time. 270 calories and 6 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Greek Turkey, Rice & Feta Casserole
What do you do when you have leftover brown rice and ground turkey in the fridge, and two boys who are incessantly asking, “What’s for dinner?” In lieu of completely losing it and passive aggressively retorting, “I don’t know. What are you making us?!” (parent of the year behavior, for sure), I whipped up a 15 minute tomato sauce and mixed it all together into a casserole. Ba-da-bing…dinner!
“So, what’s for dinner, Mum?”
“Oh, you’re going to love it.” Not having made this casserole before or actually it yet, it was a questionable response, at best.
“It’s an awesome, Greek-inspired casserole. Lots of flavor and really healthy!” The “healthy” part is seen as a positive in my boys’ minds, so it was a no-brainer to throw that in.
And I knew I couldn’t go wrong. Anything with ground turkey, such as turkey meatballs or an enchilada skillet meal are always sure-fire hits around here.
Could you use white rice instead of brown rice in this recipe? Absolutely. However, you will be giving up some fiber benefits. One cup of cooked white rice contains just 0.6 grams of fiber, whereas the same amount of brown rice boasts 3.5 grams. That being said, if the choice is between making this casserole with white rice and pulling your hair out because you can’t think what to make for dinner, then white rice it is!
This recipe would also work with a store-bought tomato sauce, but the flavor from a 15 minute tomato sauce really is worth the effort. You won’t be sorry!
Serve this up alongside steamed veggies or a salad and be prepared for your kids to ask, “Can we have that Greek rice and turkey things again tonight?”
Other healthy ground turkey recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Healthy Lasagne with Turkey, Pesto & Peppers
Cookin’ Canuck’s Mini Hoisin Turkey & Zucchini Meatloaf Muffins
Mountain Mama Cooks’ Cilantro Lime Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Lauren’s Latest’s Turkey Salisbury Steak
The Messy Baker’s Ground Turkey & Vegetable Soup
Greek Turkey, Rice & Feta Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 pound lean 93% ground turkey
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese divided
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice, ¼ cup of the feta cheese and the parsley. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining feta cheese.
- Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Diane K (foodieforpeace)
Made this for the first time in March 2018. Since I do Meatless Monday for friends, I swapped out beef soy crumbles for the ground turkey. To boost the veggies, I added chopped zucchini, chopped red pepper and a drained can of chickpeas. So, so tasty! It’s in RR (Regular Rotation). Thanks to you!!
DJ
Is it OK to make this with diced tomatoes?
If so, should I drain them first?
Thanks!
Recipe sounds great, btw
Dara
Yes, you could use diced tomatoes, but don’t drain them.
Carrie
I made this tonight because I was looking for Mediterranean food that used some ingredients I had on hand. This was perfect and my family loved it! It tastes like chili. My 6 yr old asked if I could make this every night!
Dara
That’s so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know, Carrie.
Jennifer Banz
Sounds Great! Thanks for sharing!
Nellie Tracy
LOVE this recipe! So delicious!
Don
Everyone in my house loves this. They want me to double the batch so that there’s more leftovers.
Dara
I love hearing that! It’s always a hit with my family, too.
Dennis
Hi Dara,
We really enjoyed the recipe. I like to cook and experiment a bit sometimes so this recipe lends itself to that. I used double the garlic, dried oregano (instead of ground), dried dill weed (to get that Greek thing going on), dried parsley (didn’t have any fresh on hand…I would have preferred fresh), and double the feta. The dish reminded my wife of stuffed bell peppers…sans the peppers! This recipe was very good and very easy to make. Will make again…maybe try ground lamb and dice some green bell peppers.
Thank you.
Roz
I’m making this tonight! ! But to make it a bit more Greek I’m adding some quartered artichoke hearts and more feta.
Dara
Those sound like wonderful additions, Roz.
Susan
Tried this tonight (with double the feta) and it got an excellent review from my husband. As long as I remember to cook the rice ahead, this is both simple and tasty. It will go into my regular rotation.
Rose | The Clean Dish
I just love when you’re able to throw together a few left overs and come up with something like THIS! Your boys are lucky to have such a creative mom! I love the Greek spin on this. We always have feta in the fridge, too so I will definitely give this a try!!
kellie | The Suburban Soapbox
This casserole looks amazing….nothing ruffles my feathers more than the old “What’s for dinner?” question. I have to make this, I’m sure my family would love it!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
I’ve made something similar with ground lamb, but turkey sounds like it would be just as delicious and way less fatty. You can’t go wrong with those delicious Greek flavors!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I’m such a fan of Greek flavors and ingredients. I must try this but might have to substitute lamb for the turkey. I know it wont be as healthy but I’m a serious lamb lover. Thanks for the recipe, Dara. This looks delicious.
Kim Beaulieu
I pinned this the other day and just fell in love with it. It is so pretty.
I have used the “what are you making” line myself. The good news is as they get older sometimes they actually wander in the kitchen and make something for everyone. I always laugh when it happens. Nothing like a night off and someone else to cook.
Jamie
Made this for dinner tonight. It was wonderful. Next time I’m thinking of stuffing green peppers with this.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
Lol! At first glance I thought the dish was called “Green Turkey…” I was like WHAT is Green Turkey?? If Dara likes it it must be good! Oh bot I need some shut-eye! This dish is just so colorful and simple and would totally hit the spot!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Now that’s the kind of meal that I would love to throw together in the evenings when I’m trying to figure out what to have! I normally have brown and white rice on hand so this works perfectly!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
Yes, very satisfying when EVERYONE likes what is for dinner. This would appeal to me totally.
Heather | girlichef
Wait. You mean that is NOT an acceptable way to answer that question? 😉 This sounds fantastic, I just love the chewiness of brown rice, and can imagine how satisfying this dish is!
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com
Isn’t it great when you make a recipe that your kids love? My 3yr old also think when food is healthy that it tastes good. My 1 yr old…no idea what he’s thinking! When did the word “healthy” become such a turn off to some children or even adults? Love this healthy recipe and I’ll have to try it out and see if I can make this vegan somehow 🙂 Beautiful pictures as always 🙂