Looking for an easy Ground Turkey Casserole that's hearty, family-friendly, and budget-conscious? This cheesy pasta casserole combines lean ground turkey, tender mushrooms, spinach, your favorite pasta sauce, and plenty of melted cheese into a comforting dinner that's ready in about 30 minutes.
It's the kind of meal that's great for busy weeknights, makes fantastic leftovers, and even freezes beautifully for another day.
What makes this Ground Turkey Casserole irresistible
Ground turkey does a great job soaking up the flavors of the pasta sauce and seasonings, so every bite is rich and satisfying. The mushrooms add a savory depth, while the spinach blends right in, making this an easy way to work in a few extra vegetables.
This recipe is also easy to customize with whatever pasta, cheese, or vegetables you have on hand. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or stocking the freezer for another day, this casserole is one you'll reach for again and again.
Easy Ground Turkey Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
- 1 Dutch Oven
- 1 Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion diced
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 4 cups spinach
- 1 teaspoon montreal steak seasoning
- 8 ounces penne or ziti pasta about half a box of pasta
- 28 ounces jar pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare casserole dish by spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta to al dente in boiling salted water. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta well.
- Place large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and the ground turkey, diced onions and mushrooms. Seasoning with steak seasoning. Cook until no longer pink.
- Add the spinach and pasta sauce. Stir until combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and ½ the shredded cheese. Stir and mix well. If needed add the reserved pasta water about ¼ cup at a time. (I used about a ⅓ cup of pasta water.)
- Spoon the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Spread into one even layer. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes until it's hot and bubbly.
- Optional - Remove foil and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes until the top of the pasta is browned. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Ingredients you'll need
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements.
Step-by-step instructions
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Ground turkey is slightly leaner and lower in calories and fat than ground beef, making it a healthier option. However, ground beef does contain more flavor.
Penne, ziti, rotini, cavatappi, or rigatoni all hold the sauce well and bake beautifully.
Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, peas, and carrots are all great additions.
This dish can be made up to two days in advance. Keep the casserole covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.
Top Tip
Cook the pasta just until al dente. Since the casserole continues cooking in the oven, slightly firm pasta will finish baking without becoming soft or mushy. It's a simple step that makes a big difference in the finished dish.
More easy ground turkey recipes
If ground turkey is a regular on your grocery list, I've got plenty of easy dinner ideas to keep things interesting! These juicy Ground Turkey Sliders are always a hit for game day or busy weeknights. For another cozy casserole, give my Tex Mex Ground Turkey Casserole a try. It's loaded with bold Southwest flavors and plenty of cheese. And if you're looking for another simple one-pan meal, Ground Turkey Rice Casserole is a hearty family dinner that's easy to make and even better as leftovers.
Serve with
You can't have pasta without garlic bread! And this Air Fryer Garlic Bread is my favorite recipe! Add some Lemon and Garlic Broccoli or 3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans to round out your meal. Enjoy!!
Dinner made easy
This Ground Turkey Casserole is proof that comfort food doesn't have to be complicated. With simple pantry ingredients, plenty of melty cheese, and a hearty tomato sauce, it's the kind of dinner everyone looks forward to.
Whether you're feeding a hungry family, stocking the freezer, or planning lunches for the week, this easy casserole is one recipe you'll find yourself making again and again. If you give it a try, I'd love to hear how you made it your own in the comments!
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