Kate’s Best Easy Ground Turkey Casserole {Low Carb}
This low carb casseroles with ground turkey recipe is the kind of meal that makes you feel good about what you’re eating, while still delivering all the golden bubbly cheese, savory turkey, vegetables and of course a special twist—crunchy everything bagel spice topping. It’s one of our all time favorite recipes to make with ground turkey.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our affiliate policy.
Ground turkey can sometimes get a bad rap as being bland but its adaptability is actually its super power. This lighter, easy going protein is a guaranteed win at the dinner table and makes great meatballs. Or burger, or chili! Or, best of all, cheesy casserole.
As a chef, cookbook author, and busy mom, I know how important it is to have a handful of reliable, wholesome casserole recipes in your back pocket. This one is a game-changer. It’s packed with lean turkey, fresh veggies, and just enough creamy, cheesy richness to make everyone at the table happy. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies (hello, cauliflower rice and baby spinach!) and keep dinner low-carb, keto-friendly, and totally satisfying.
But the best part? You can prep it in minutes, bake it in one casserole dish, and have dinner on the table with almost no fuss. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, feeding the whole family, or just looking for an easy meal to enjoy with a side salad, this low carb turkey casserole is about to become your new weeknight staple.
Tell Me About This Turkey Casserole
Why will you fall in love with this recipe? Let’s break it down:
- Incredible Flavor: I used my creamy chicken noodle casserole recipe as inspiration for this recipe and if you’ve ever tried that before, you’ll know today’s turkey version will be extra creamy and comforting. The combination of ground turkey, garlic powder, bell pepper, and a touch of parmesan creates a savory, cheesy casserole.
- Perfect Texture: Cream cheese melts into the turkey mixture, giving every bite a creamy, satisfying texture—while the mozzarella-parmesan-everything bagel spice combo on top gets bubbly and golden and just the perfect amount of crunch.
- Ridiculously Easy: Just minutes of prep time and a quick bake. Just like our spicy veggie curry, it’s dinner in minutes.
- Low Carb & Keto-Friendly: Cauliflower rice stands in for traditional grains, keeping net carbs low without sacrificing taste.
- Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in an airtight container for a quick lunch or dinner the next day. The flavors get even better!
Choosing the Right Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: Lean, high-protein, and a great alternative to ground beef or ground chicken. It soaks up all the flavors and keeps the casserole light.
- Olive Oil: Adds a touch of richness.
- Bell Pepper: Brings sweetness, color, and a little bit of crunch.
- Cauliflower Rice: The secret to keeping this a low carb turkey casserole!
- Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Salt: Simple seasonings that boost savory flavors without overpowering the main ingredients.
- Marinara Sauce: Adds a nice sauciness and amps up the Italian vibes. Use store-bought or homemade.
- Cream Cheese: Use the extra to make my lemon-thyme twice baked potatoes.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Plenty of cheese for that irresistible melty topping.
- Green Onions & Baby Spinach: Bagged, pre-washed spinach or kale (like in the photos) is my secret weapon for adding color and freshness to recipes. I add it to pizza fresh from the oven, as a garnish for soup, and a kick of vegetables to this casserole.
- Parmesan & Everything Bagel Seasoning: Check the ingredients on your everything bagel spice to see if it has salt (some brands do and some brands don’t). If it has salt added, keep the salt amount in the casserole at 1/2 teaspoon. If it doesn’t increase the measured salt amount to 1 teaspoon.
- Fresh oregano: For garnish, optional
Want to make it your own?
Try adding cheddar cheese, swap the bagel seasoning for taco seasoning for a Mexican casserole twist. You can even swap in zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for the cauliflower rice.
Can I use ground beef or leftover chicken instead of ground turkey? Absolutely! This casserole is incredibly flexible. Ground beef works perfectly. Leftover rotisserie chicken or even extra leftover turkey from the holidays are great additions and make this a fantastic leftover turkey casserole recipe.
You could even try ground chicken for a lighter option. The main thing is to keep the ratios about the same so the casserole holds together and stays creamy.
How To Make Your Own Cauliflower Rice
If you have a food processor or high-powered blender, you can easily make your own cauliflower rice. Simply chop a small head of cauliflower into small pieces. Add it to the blender or food processor and pulse until it is in rice-sized pieces.
Variations
This recipe is endlessly adaptable.
- Add green chiles and enchilada sauce instead of the marinara (omitting the Parmesan and everything bagel spice) for a turkey enchilada casserole.
- Toss in chopped green beans or cherry tomatoes for extra veggies.
- Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for a little heat.
And don’t forget: this is a great way to use up whatever you have in your fridge. Got a little bit of leftover chicken, some black olives, or extra cheddar cheese? Toss them in! This is the kind of easy recipe that rewards creativity.
Where do I buy everything bagel seasoning? I always find it at major grocery stores in the spice section, Trader Joe’s sells its own brand and so does The Spice Lab and McCormick’s.
You can also make your own by combining 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1½ teaspoons caraway seeds, 1 teaspoon dried minced onion, and 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic.
Special Equipment for the Perfect Casserole
To make this low carb turkey casserole a breeze, I recommend:
- A sturdy large skillet for browning your turkey mixture
- A medium baking dish
- Airtight containers for meal prep and leftovers
Having the right equipment makes prep and clean-up so much easier—and let’s be honest, having a casserole dish you love just makes dinner feel special. Find all my favorite kitchen tools here.
I’d love to know how you make low carb casseroles with ground turkey! Do you add Italian seasoning, swap in ground beef, or go for a keto casserole with extra cheese? Leave a star rating and comment below—your feedback helps others and inspires me to keep creating more easy recipes for you. And if you share your casserole on Instagram, tag @katesbestrecipes so I can cheer you on and share your creation with our community! Go ahead—print the recipe card, save it for your next round of weekend food prep, and let’s make weeknight dinners something to look forward to.
Love Low Carb Casseroles With Ground Turkey? Here’s More Weeknight Dinner Inspiration
- Pasta Fagioli
- 30-Minute Chinese Chicken with Garlic Rice
- Tomato Mushroom Spaghetti
- Quick & Easy Skirt Steak
- Ginger Hoisin Tofu Stir Fry
Easy Low Carb Casserole with Ground Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 2 cups cauliflower rice, fresh or frozen
- 1 5-ounce bag baby spinach or power greens or baby kale
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ounces cream cheese, ideally softened but if its not, that's okay
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons Everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Heat olive oil in a large (14-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 3-4 minutes until mostly browned.
- Add diced bell pepper and 2 sliced scallions and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 cups cauliflower rice, a 5-ounce bag spinach, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder,1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring, until veggies are tender, spinach is wilted.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in 4 ounces cream cheese until melted and well combined. Spoon turkey mixture into a 3 quart (medium) casserole dish (not a 9×13).
- Combine 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, and 2 tablespoons everything bagel spice in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Meal Prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Mix It Up: Swap in zucchini, mushrooms, diced onion, or your favorite veggies.
- Riced Cauliflower: You can make your own riced cauliflower by chopping fresh cauliflower in a food processor. See post for details.
- Everything Bagel Spice: Check the ingredients in the bagel seasoning. If it contains salt (some do, some don’t) use the 1/2 teaspoon salt the recipe calls for. If it doesn’t increase the salt amount to 1 teaspoon.
- Marinara Sauce: Use store-bought or make your own. My marinara sauce is a fan favorite.
- Skillet: Use a 14-inch skillet to brown the turkey and vegetables, anything smaller will be hard to mix everything all at once.
