Ground Turkey and Quinoa Casserole

This quinoa and turkey casserole is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It’s packed with protein and fiber, so you’ll feel satisfied after eating it. It takes just minutes to throw together then off to the oven to finish cooking. You can have dinner on the table in just a bit more than an hour, and you are sure to leave the dinner table full and satisfied.

If you want a bit more traditional dish using ground turkey, then you might want to check out this tomato turkey pasta casserole. Another great dish with turkey is this turkey pasta casserole. Both are tasty and ideal for a busy family.

image looking down on casserole with almonds on top

What Should I Serve With Ground Turkey and Quinoa Casserole?

While this is a substantial casserole, you will likely want to serve a few sides alongside the quinoa and turkey. If you are avoiding grains, then you'll want to go with something like a roasted cauliflower or broccoli. For those who have no dietary restrictions, our asparagus casserole and spinach casserole are both a good choice for a side dish.

You can, of course, serve with a side salad, steamed vegetable, or another starch side like scalloped potatoes casserole if you wish.

casserole dish of quinoa and turkey with almonds on top

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion
1 red bell pepper
1 garlic cloves
1 pound ground turkey (500 g)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup quinoa
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup almonds
2 ½ cup chicken broth
½ cup orange juice

gray table with white bowl of ground turkey and raw quinoa next to bowls of vegetables

Kitchen Tools You May Need

white baking dish filled with quinoa and ground turkey

How to Make a Ground Turkey and Quinoa Casserole

Spray the bottom of your baking dish with non-stick spray then set it aside. I used a larger baking dish, but as long as the mixture fits well into the dish, any larger dish works. Now, preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.

To a large non-stick skillet, add the olive oil and heat over a medium temperature setting. Once hot, add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Cook this for 4 to 5 minutes and stir regularly.

black skillet with red peppers and onions

Then, add the ground turkey, breaking it up as you cook. This will take 8 to 10 minutes to cook through until no pink is left. Break up the turkey as you go to make it cook faster.

ground turkey being stirred in skillet with cooked red peppers

Next, season the ground turkey and vegetables with salt, cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Then, stir in the cranberries and almonds.

Add the raw quinoa to the mixture, then pour this into your baking dish.

quinoa being added to skillet of ground turkey

Now, pour the chicken broth and the orange juice into the pan with the quinoa and chicken mixture.

rectangular white casserole dish filled with ground turkey and quinoa and juice being poured over the top

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

baked ground turkey and quinoa casserole being held above gray table

Serve alone or as a side to your favorite protein.

round white plate of ground turkey and quinoa casserole on gray table with casserole dish in background

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Ground Chicken or Beef Instead?

Absolutely. I love using this ground turkey breast because we love the flavor. It really works well with the salty-sweet flavor of this recipe. It is also a nice low-fat option that is usually inexpensive. I am able to get a pound of frozen ground turkey for about half the price of buying ground beef.

However, if you prefer ground beef or have ground chicken on hand, use that. Try the quinoa casserole using each one and see which one you like better. More ideas are to try ground pork, ground sausage, or try a combination of the different ground meats.

What Type of Quinoa is Best for Baking?

I prefer to use white quinoa in this ground turkey and quinoa casserole. I find that it cooks up softer and doesn’t have as much of a nutty flavor. If you can’t find white quinoa, you can use red quinoa. Just know that the cooking time may be different and the flavor will be slightly different.

Can This Turkey and Quinoa Casserole Be Frozen?

Yes! This casserole freezes well. Wait until the casserole has cooled completely and move the parts that are being frozen to an airtight freezer-safe container. I like to add another layer of plastic wrap over the food before adding the lid. Press it down so that it is close to the casserole. This creates another barrier to preventing freezer burn.

If you are freezing this as a complete casserole, I recommend using a disposable aluminum pan. Wrap it well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Then place it in the freezer.
When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then bake the next day.

Let the ground turkey and quinoa casserole thaw overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat the leftovers, place them in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also use the microwave, but be careful to not overheat.

almonds and cranberries on top of ground turkey and quinoa casserole in white baking dish

More Main Dish Casseroles

A casserole is always a preferred meal at our house because it means I spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my family. This ground turkey and quinoa casserole is a personal favorite. If you want to add more easy meals to your menu, then make sure you check out the recipes below. Add them to your meal plan, bookmark them to find easily later, or even print them out and add them to a physical recipe book. You can also pin it to a meal board on Pinterest to keep handy.

Yield: 6

Ground Turkey and Quinoa Casserole

A ground turkey and quinoa casserole has the perfect combination of salty and sweet with tons of fiber and protein in every bite!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion. chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground turkey (500 g)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup quinoa
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup almonds
2 ½ cup chicken broth
½ cup orange juice

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C and spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray then set it aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, then cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly until the vegetables are softened.
To the skillet, add the ground turkey, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook until just cooked through and no pink remains.
Now, add in the salt, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, cranberries, and almonds and stir together.
Now, mix in the quinoa and pour the mixture into the baking dish.
Pour the chicken broth and orange juice over the quinoa and chicken in the baking dish.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.