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Easy Cheesy Ground Turkey Rice Casserole

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A comforting, cheesy casserole made with ground turkey, rice, and a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 3 cups (600g) cooked white rice (preferably day-old)
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. If using uncooked rice, cook 1 cup white rice in 2 cups salted water until tender (about 15-18 minutes); fluff and cool slightly. You need 3 cups cooked rice.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink and browned (5-6 minutes).
  4. Push turkey to one side; add onion and cook until softened (3-4 minutes). Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir together.
  5. Add diced tomatoes (with juice), chicken broth, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 3-4 minutes.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine cooked rice, sour cream, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until well coated.
  7. Spread rice mixture evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour turkey-tomato mixture over the top and spread gently. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over everything.
  8. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. For a golden top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully.
  10. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best texture. Don’t skip browning the turkey—it adds flavor. Watch the cheese under the broiler to avoid burning. Let casserole rest before cutting to prevent it from becoming soupy.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey casserole, cheesy rice casserole, easy weeknight dinner, turkey and rice bake, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-cheesy-ground-turkey-rice-casserole/