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Ground Turkey Cottage Cheese Casserole

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A creamy, protein-packed casserole featuring lean ground turkey, cottage cheese, and veggies, this easy weeknight dinner is comforting, healthy, and comes together in under 45 minutes. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or anyone craving a lighter take on classic cheesy casseroles.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean or higher)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (fire-roasted optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried basil and oregano)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim preferred)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet with olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Stir in drained diced tomatoes. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until flavors meld and most liquid evaporates. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, Parmesan, egg, and milk until smooth (small lumps are okay).
  6. Spread the turkey-tomato mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cottage cheese mixture over the top and smooth gently. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over everything.
  7. Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden and casserole is bubbling at the edges. Cover loosely with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, double-check cheese and spice labels. Swap ground turkey for chicken or lean beef if desired. Add extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms for more nutrition. Let the casserole rest before slicing for clean layers. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey, cottage cheese, casserole, healthy dinner, high protein, gluten-free, easy meal, meal prep, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/ground-turkey-cottage-cheese-casserole-easy-healthy-dinner-recipe/