This iconic whiskey is a "Jack of all trades" when it comes to cooking. Toss it in some pasta, as a savory dipping sauce, and even bake it into something sweet.
Ground Turkey And Spinach Casserole
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The lean meat and healthy spinach help balance out the rich sauce and cheese in this decadent casserole.
serves/makes:
ready in:
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
22 reviews
3 comments
ingredients
1 pound ground turkey or pork
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (10.75 ounce size) cream of chicken soup
1 pound frozen leaf spinach, thawed
1 teaspoon salt
1 dash black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until the turkey is cooked.
Stir the cream of chicken soup into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Transfer the turkey mixture to the baking dish.
Drain as much liquid as possible from the thawed spinach and then place the spinach in a bowl. Add the salt, pepper, and eggs. Mix well. Spread the spinach mixture over the top of the turkey layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle it with the Mozzarella cheese.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until the center is bubbly and the cheese is melted and browned.
Serve the ground turkey and spinach casserole hot.
recipe tips
Saute some minced garlic with the onion and turkey.
Add fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme into the turkey mixture.
If you like a crispy topping, add breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter on top of the cheese before baking.
For a spicy twist, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture.
Try a combination of spinach and kale for a variation.
Adding a layer of cooked pasta or rice can turn this into a heartier meal.
If you're using low-fat cheese, add a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor without much added fat.
common recipe questions
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen in this recipe?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach. Cook it down in a skillet until wilted, then drain any excess liquid before adding it to the casserole. Use 1 2/3 pound fresh spinach in place of the frozen.
Is there a substitute for cream of chicken soup?
You can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup as a substitute. Alternatively, make a simple white sauce with flour, butter, and chicken broth.
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of mozzarella?
Yes, you can use other cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorite cheeses.
How can I make this casserole healthier?
To make it healthier, consider using ground turkey breast (vs regular ground turkey), low-fat or non-dairy cheese, and a homemade cream soup substitute made with low-fat milk.
Is it necessary to drain the spinach?
Yes, draining the spinach is important to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The casserole is done when the center is bubbly, and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top.
Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate it. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you're baking it straight from the refrigerator.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through. Cover with foil if reheating in the oven.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, this casserole can be frozen. Wrap it well and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Cover with foil if reheating in the oven.
tools needed
Skillet: For cooking the ground turkey and onion until the turkey is cooked. Also needed for simmering the cream of chicken soup before transferring the mixture to the baking dish.
Baking Dish: A 9x13-inch baking dish is required for assembling and baking the casserole in the oven.
Bowl: Used for mixing the thawed spinach with salt, pepper, and eggs to create the spinach mixture that will be spread over the turkey layer in the baking dish.
Grater: If not using pre-shredded cheese, a grater is needed to shred the mozzarella cheese before sprinkling it over the spinach layer.
Can Opener: Required to open the can of cream of chicken soup before adding it to the skillet with the turkey mixture.
what goes with it?
Balsamic Glazed Roasted Vegetables: because the veggies will add a nice earthy flavor to balance out the richness of the casserole.
Quinoa Salad: the lightness and freshness of the salad will provide a nice contrast to the heaviness of the casserole.
Lemon Sorbet: to cleanse your palate after all that cheesy goodness.
Garlic Bread: The buttery garlic bread will add extra flavor to complement the creamy casserole.
Zesty Salad: A tangy salad with a vinaigrette dressing will help cut through the richness of the casserole and provide a fresh contrast.
beverage pairings
Wine Pairings
Chardonnay: The crispness of a Chardonnay can cut through the creamy sauce and cheese, while the hints of oak add a nice depth to the dish.
Pinot Noir: A light-bodied Pinot Noir with its cherry and raspberry notes can enhance the flavors of the lean meat and spinach without overwhelming them.
Merlot: The soft tannins in a Merlot can help balance out the richness of the casserole, while its fruit-forward profile can complement the savory turkey and cheese.
Other Alcohol Pairings
IPA: The hoppy bitterness of an IPA can contrast nicely with the richness of the casserole, while the citrusy notes can bring a refreshing element to each bite.
Gin and Tonic: The botanicals in gin can add a layer of complexity to the dish.
Old Fashioned: The whiskey in an Old Fashioned can provide a nice contrast to the creamy sauce, while the hint of sweetness in the cocktail can enhance the overall flavors of the casserole.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Lemonade: A glass of refreshing lemonade can add a zesty kick to each bite of the casserole, cutting through the richness and balancing out the flavors.
Pureed Fruit Smoothie: A smoothie made with mixed berries or tropical fruits can provide a burst of sweetness and acidity that complements the savory elements of the dish.
Iced Green Tea: The earthy notes of green tea can bring a layer of complexity to the casserole, while the slight bitterness can help cleanse the palate after each bite.
nutrition data
350 calories, 24 grams fat, 7 grams carbohydrates, 26 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.
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reviews & comments
April 8, 2025
I like the simplicity of this recipe. I tweaked it a bit by adding Italian seasoning and poultry seasoning while cooking the ground turkey. This added more flavor without adding salt. Mixing the spinach into the turkey is a good suggestion. I'll try that next time. My family loves it so it's a keeper for me.
January 31, 2024
Made for the first time. Love it, but I think next time I would add 1/2 a can of chicken broth to the cream of chicken soup. I had a layer of wide egg noodles on the bottom then topped with ground turkey, onion and soup. Then spinach, salt, pepper and 2 eggs. Then the mozzarella. Delicious!
November 2, 2021
It was very good, but needs something added to it. I like the fact that it is low carb and tasty. Any suggestions on additions to the casserole.
August 30, 2020
Tried this recipe and it was really good. I used fresh spinach instead of frozen. I added yellow and red bell peppers to meat mixture. I didnât have any mozzarella cheese so I used provolone cheese with some cheddar cheese and the dish turned out great. It wasnât bland as I used onion powder, garlic powder & season salt to the spinach and meat while cooking.
July 29, 2020
Amazing! The whole family loved it! I added hot sauce to the spinach and egg mixture, used sazon for seasonings, and added cheddar jack with the mozzarella. Thank you for a great recipe!
Any other suggestions on what I can substitute for cream of chicken because I don't have this ingredient at home?
You could make a cream sauce
July 15, 2020
I made this recipe with Cream of mushroom soup, Kale instead of Spinach, 3 eggs instead of 2 and for seasonings Mrs. Dash, granulated garlic, and McCormick crushed Chili flakes
July 7, 2020
Receta fácil de hacer y lo mejor es que es deliciosa
July 5, 2020
My family loved this! I used fresh spinach, ground turkey, Lawryâs Seasoned Salt (instead of salt), fresh garlic, and added Parmesan cheese to the mozzarella. This will be in our dinner rotation.
May 31, 2020
Just wonderful. Of course like others here, I tweeked it to my family's taste. I used fresh spinach, which I sauteed with garlic in butter. I added baby portabello mushrooms sliced (about a cup) I used WAY more sweet onion (also a cup). I think next time I make this, which I certainly will, I might try to add another egg. Don't skimp on the mozzarella. I only used 8 oz. which tasted fine, but it might have even be better with more.
May 25, 2020
Great recipe. I used fresh spinach because that's what I had on hand and mixed in some feta cheese with it too. The only negative is that is was so delicious, the family ate the whole thing in one sitting so there wasn't any leftovers!
May 14, 2020
I added my own seasoning to the recipe overall and the meat mixture I added garlic green onions and bell pepper and to the spinach and eggs mixture I added half of the cheese, a spoon full each of TraderJoeâs red pepper spread and Trader Joeâs Italian bomba hot pepper sauce and Minced garlic also 1/4 of salt and everyone loved it! My husband and kids are super picky!
May 6, 2020
this recipe was so easy and very tasty! i think if i were to make it again i would maybe use cream of mushroom rather than chicken and divide the cheese into layers. very quick and yummy!
Very tasty & 'somewhat' healthy. I used ground turkey breast, since I feel it has more flavor than chicken. I also used Heart Healthy soup, & I slightly reduced the amount of cheese. It was still tasty, & enjoyed by my family.
April 28, 2020
I did not have any problems making this. It was so good and my husband loved it!!! I added a cup of mushroom to it 🤭
November 16, 2019
Made this tonight and it was outstanding! I didn't have ground turkey, but had most of a rotisserie chicken, which I cut up very finely. I steamed 15 ounces of organic fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach. It came out GREAT! Next time, I think I will mix the meat mixture, with the spinach mixture and the cheese all together.
August 20, 2019
OMGoodness, this was very good. I used ground turkey and My substitutes were: cream of mushroom soup, fresh spinach, provolone cheese, I sautéed half a yellow/red pepper and added to spinach mixture. Great idea.
May 29, 2019
I didnât have cream of chicken so I used cream of celery and I also used fresh spinach. I added garlic lime others said and it turned out great.
November 12, 2018
I made the recipe and tasted really good, did not have chicken soup so I used whipping cream and a bouillon. It needed a good side dish though any recommendations?
October 27, 2018
It was a flavorful comfort meal. I didnât have frozen spinach, so I used a bag of prewashed baby spinach. In the future, I would add brown rice to this dish. It felt like it was a little something else.
Can you use fresh sauteed spinach? This sounds amazing but that's all I have is fresh right nowCDKitchen Note:Yes,
Yes, that should work
September 5, 2018
This was really good and great consistency. I added some fresh rosemary on top of the cheese and it really added to the flavor.
September 15, 2015
I sautéed a few gloves of garlic with the spinach. Also, I did not have any soup. I made a homemade rue with a bit of American cheese, salt, pepper, milk and cream (one cup total) I poured that over the turkey mixture and it was great!
July 22, 2014
I ran out of eggs, so I substituted 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to be mixed in with the spinach. I also mixed in rice with the bottom layer and it was delicious!
December 10, 2011
This was a very easy recipe. I made it mostly with things I already had in my kitchen. In the future, I would either mix the spinach in with the meat or mix the cheese in with the spinach b/c the spinach was a bit bland. I also only used half the amount of spinach and it was still completely covered.