Serve up this Healthy Turkey, Zucchini and Rice Casserole for an easy dinner packed with lean protein and veggies. A great make-ahead dinner option!
This easy turkey, zucchini & rice casserole takes advantage of one of summer’s most prolific veggies (zucchini!), but can be enjoyed all year round. It’s a great make-ahead option on my list of favorite healthy dinner ideas and still tastes great when reheated for lunch the next day. We like to serve it with a green salad to round out the meal.
As a fellow zucchini lover and firm supporter of seasonal vegetables in all their multitude, I feel it is my duty to provide you with as many zucchini recipes as possible. Baked zucchini fries (my kids' favorite), zucchini roll-ups and turkey zucchini meatballs (the squash haters will never know!) are just the starting point.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS TURKEY, ZUCCHINI & RICE CASSEROLE:
These are the main components of this recipe (affiliate links included):
- Ground turkey: The recipe call for extra lean (99%) ground turkey, but lean (93%) is also a good option.
- Mushrooms: Portobello mushrooms are fantastic in this casserole. Crimini (Baby Bella) mushrooms can also be used - cut them into quarters or halves, depending on size.
- Zucchini: Dice the zucchini into ¾-inch pieces.
- Rice: Used cooked rice for the casserole. Brown rice is a good option for adding fiber, but feel free to use white rice if preferred.
- Tomatoes: One can of crushed tomatoes.
- Aromatics: Yellow or white onion and freshly minced garlic.
- Spices: Oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Adjust the red pepper flakes depending on how much you prefer.
- Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over top of the casserole.
See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.
How to make a rice casserole:
I was on a roll with posting rice casseroles for awhile and it's high time for another version, this one involving zucchini, of course.
It all started with my favorite Greek Turkey, Rice & Feta Casserole, then morphed to teriyaki (think stir fry-type flavors and veggies) and southwestern (black beans, corn and chiles...oh my!) versions.
The formula is the same for each of the casseroles, with the sauce and mix-ins changing dependent on the flavor profile.
Saute the ground turkey (or beef or cooked beans, if you prefer), onion, garlic and spices, then stir in the other vegetables, sauce and cooked rice (a great way to use up leftover rice!)
Transfer everything to a casserole dish, top with cheese (in some cases) and bake for about 20 minutes. One of the easiest dinners that's also great as leftovers!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can this zucchini rice casserole be made ahead of time?
Yes! You have a couple of options here.
The first option is to make the casserole in its entirety, let it cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to eat it, simply reheat portions in the microwave.
The second option is to prepare the components ahead of time – cook the rice, brown the ground turkey and chop the vegetables. Sauté the vegetables, combine everything and bake the casserole just before serving.
There is actually one final option, but it’s my least favorite. In this method, you would assemble the casserole completely, cover and refrigerate, then bake before serving. With this method, I find that the sautéed vegetables tend to release a lot of liquid, making the casserole a bit soupy.
Can I use white rice?
If you're not a fan of brown rice or don't have any on hand, swap in white rice instead. To tell you the truth, you likely won't be able to tell the difference in taste, so it's easy enough to sneak in some extra fiber with the brown rice.
Alternatively, use cooked quinoa, barley or farro.
How do I make this casserole vegetarian or vegan?
This is an easy one! Leave out the ground turkey and replace it with cook or canned beans. For this recipe, white kidney beans (cannellini beans), black beans, red kidney beans or even chickpeas work well.
For a vegan option, leave off the cheese, or use a vegan cheese option or sprinkle some nutritional yeast over top.
Easy Turkey, Zucchini & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound extra lean ground turkey
- ½ onion chopped
- ¾ teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper divided
- 2 Portobello mushrooms stems removed & gills scraped, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 ¼ cup chopped zucchini ¾-inch dice
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 ¾ cup cooked brown rice
- ½ cup packed grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- ¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 8- by 12-inch or 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, onions, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is browned.
- Stir in the mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes, and cook until the vegetables are starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the rice, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and 3 tablespoons parsley.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese on top and bake until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted and starting to brown, about 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published on August 7, 2017 and updated on August 31, 2021.
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.
Stephanie
Can I substitute the ground turkey with chicken?
Dara
Stephanie, I assume you mean chicken breast, rather than ground chicken? Ground chicken - absolutely yes! If using chicken breast, I recommend cutting the breasts into small pieces.
Katie
Tasty and easy! I could only find prepacked zucchini noodles at my store, but it worked out great. Excellent flavors!
Diana L Jameson
We had some zucchini given to us from a friend so we were on search of a good recipe. My hubby found this one. We used Italian seasoned ground turkey as that's what we had on hand and our tomatoes were garlic & olive oil flavored. We decreased the salt because of additional flavors. It was delicious!!! We will make again!
Dara
So great to hear you enjoyed it!
Barbara
Made the recipe as indicated with the only change was button mushrooms as that's what I had on hand. Hubby who's not a fan of brown rice, didn't even know that's what was in it and enjoyed the meal. I also omitted the salt as hubby's is salt restricted and as for myself, the dish had so much flavor and had salt from the tomatoes and cheese, I didn't feel it needed more. The dish had a nice little kick from the red pepper and was a definite do again all-in-one meal
Diane C
Great flavor and versatile recipe. I didn't have an mushrooms, but had 1.5 lbs ground turkey. Came out great. Thanks!
Letty / Letty's Kitchen
I'm waiting a the stealth drop off. Though I was just given 4 gorgeous heirloom tomatoes and a bunch of basil. Grateful for those. Thank you for the link.
Dara
Stealth drop offs are the best!
Kim
This is so good. I used summer squash instead of zucchini and regular mushrooms.
Diane
i just made this tonight and it turned out great! I can't have dairy so I substituted nutritional yeast for the parm and it added a nice nutty flavor. I'm a runner and this is an awesome "stretch your budget" meal that hits a lot of protein and nutrition needs! I love your blog! Thank you!
tomate farcie
I loved this! For me it's really versatile. I had Bella mushrooms so I used those and added some spinach. It's probably great for whatever needs to be used up. Thanks!
Sabrina
nice recipe, thank you, nice and different way for me to use my zucchini, this looks great!
Kerri
This looks amazing- but I just don't like portobellos or mushrooms! What can I substitute in its place. I love pretty much all other veggies'! I want to make it this weekend!
Dara
This recipe is really versatile. You could use extra zucchini in place of the mushrooms or sub in red bell peppers. I hope you enjoy it!
Lydia @ Suitcase Foodist
Oh yes. The stealth zucchini drop-off . I'm battling with a giant overproducing zucchini plant as we speak. This will have to make the rotation this week.
Lola
I was hoping to use up some cooked turkey I have in the freezer, saved for soup but could be used to make this , no?
marcie
Everyone that grows their own zucchini says how much they need recipes for it because it grows crazy! This looks like a delicious way to use it up...there's nothing like a comforting rice casserole!
Em
For substitutions, how many cans of kidney beans would you say should be used instead of the ground turkey?
Dara
Hi Em, a couple cups of cooked beans should do the trick. About 1 1/2 cans.