Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) lean (93%) ground turkey
- 3 cups shredded medium zucchini (about 2 medium zucchinis)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) diced tomatoes, preferably no-salt-added
- 1 cup (113g) low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sprinkle salt on shredded zucchini, let sit 5–10 minutes, then squeeze out excess liquid.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Add ground turkey and cook, stirring, until evenly browned.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season turkey with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in shredded zucchini and diced tomatoes and cook about 5 minutes to evaporate liquid and meld flavors.
- Whisk the eggs in a bowl and stir in half the shredded mozzarella.
- Fold the egg-cheese mixture into the turkey-vegetable mixture and mix well.
- Grease a baking dish and transfer the mixture into it.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top.
- Bake for 25–35 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and the top is golden and the center is set.
- Let the casserole rest about 8–10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
To prevent a watery casserole, salt the shredded zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture before cooking., Drain excess fat after browning the turkey for a lighter dish., If the mixture is too loose, add an extra egg or breadcrumbs/almond flour (gluten free) to bind., For a crunchy topping, sprinkle panko mixed with olive oil and Parmesan before baking., You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate before baking., Leftovers keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator and can be frozen for up to 3 months., Add sautéed vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for variety., Substitute ground chicken, lean beef, pork, or plant-based crumbles for turkey; use flax eggs for vegan version., Cheese alternatives include cheddar, pepper jack, feta, Parmesan, or dairy-free options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 250-300 calories per serving (estimate; exact value depends on specific ingredient brands and quantities)
- Fat: Approximately 10g per serving
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 10-15g per serving
- Protein: Approximately 25g per serving