This Turkey Taco Bake is an easy and versatile dish made with ground turkey, spices, beans and rice for a delicious weeknight meal.
It’s about time I posted a new casserole recipe. For whatever reason I don’t talk about this much, but I love me a good casserole. They’re so versatile and make the best leftovers. This Turkey Taco Bake has my heart.
Since we all love casseroles, and we all love turkey tacos, why not make a turkey taco casserole?! I love it, I love it, I love it!
Watch How to make Turkey Taco Bake
Ingredients you’ll need
- Olive oil
- Ground turkey (or ground beef)
- Spices – salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin
- Frozen corn
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes
- Diced green chilies
- Black beans
- Salsa
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Cooked rice
- Shredded cheese
Optional Toppings
- Avocado
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Chips
This recipe is great because you make the filling all in one pan before transferring it over to combine with some rice then sprinkle with cheese and you’re done-zo.
(For tips on the best kind of pan to use, check out this post on the best types of pans & cookware for your kitchen!)
It’s almost as easy as my Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole, 30 Minute Turkey Taco Rice Skillet, or my Turkey Quinoa Chili which come together even quicker than this!
The Home Cook’s Guide to Salt
Learn about the basics of salt, plus the best salt for cooking (hint: it’s Kosher salt!) with this easy-to-understand guide to salt for home cooks.
Instructions for Turkey Taco Bake
I hope you find this comforting meal as delicious as I do. It would be a great meal to bring to a friend, or to make ahead of time before a new baby comes. Dig in! For more comfort food and less meal planning, try my free 5 Days of Dinner Guide. It’s a week of food that you don’t have to think about!
Turkey Taco Bake
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven baked
Description
An easy and versatile dish made with ground turkey, spices, beans and rice for a delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1–1.5 pounds ground turkey (or ground beef)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (14 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (12 oz) jar your favorite salsa
- 1 handful cilantro, roughly chopped
- juice from 1 lime
- 2.5 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, jack or a blend)
Optional Toppings
- avocado
- sour cream
- cilantro
- chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. Add the oil, ground turkey, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder and cumin. Break up the meat and cook for about 5-7 minutes until meat is cooked through.
- Add the frozen corn, fire roasted tomatoes, green chilies, black beans and salsa and cook for 3-5 minutes until warmed. Add the cilantro and the juice of 1 lime and stir to combine.
- Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in the cooked rice until mixture is well combined. Pour the entire mixture into a 13×9 baking dish and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with desired toppings, a squeeze of fresh lime juice and enjoy!
Comments
Coffee2
Delicious recipe! My husband and I had this for dinner tonight. He wanted sour cream and taco sauce for his topping. I printed the recipe so I can make it again soon. I used pinto beans, cauliflower rice and a can of rotel. Tastes amazing!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
SO happy you all loved it!
seedydirtysunny
I followed the recipe closely although I used regular diced tomatoes instead of fire roasted. The cost of groceries is insane right now!
I plan on experimenting with brown/wild rice next time.
This recipe will be in the regular meal rotation because it was easy, delicious, and adjustable. Thanks so much.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
SO glad you enjoyed it!
Cathy
My husband and I love this recipe, I’ve made it twice and he loves it!
But since it’s just the two of us, I was wondering if I can freeze some for later?
Thanks for a great dinner idea!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Yes, absolutely this would freeze great!
Amanda Holmes
Love this recipe! We use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice (usually Trader Joe’s spicy Mexican Cauliflower rice). It’s amazing!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Oh what a great idea!
Christine Scott
this was such a delicious dish and so easy to make!
I am not a very good cook. My son had some and thought my husband made it! He did not believe I made it!!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Awww I love this!!!
Amy
Easy,delicious,versatile! A new favorite in our house! Wrap it up, scoop it up, eat it as is!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Wrap, scoop, eat!!
Katie S.
This recipe is SO good and super easy to make! It’s become one of my go-to meals! I started using TJ’s frozen Spanish rice and fire roasted corn and it’s been a perfect addition to all of the yummy flavors. We love putting the mixture in fresh flour tortillas too! 10/10!! 🙌🏻⭐️
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
10/10, I’ll take it!!
Kelly A.
This was really really good. It tasted so fresh. I love the lime and cilantro and just everything. I made as written except I used diced plain tomatoes. 💯💯💯😍
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Yay!! One of my favorite too!
Barbara Wendel
★★★★★
Barbara Wendel
Made two weeks ago and again today. First ground turkey recipe that I liked.
Laney Schwartz
Such a win!
Robin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Wow! This was so delicious!!!! I made it exactly like the recipe, and it turned out perfectly! Will definitely be making this again! Thank you! 👩🏻🍳❤️🫶
Laney Schwartz
Thanks so much Robin!
Lisa
We have started to weave this into our staple meals at our house! It’s so good and makes plenty for an entire leftover meal. I add some red pepper and red onion as well and it’s delish! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
So glad its in the rotation!
Katie
Would this be good frozen?
Laney Schwartz
Yes, you could freeze this
Pamela
Loved this recipe! Made it on a weeknight for an easy meal. It was simple and delicious!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thanks Pamela!
Kat
This recipe is perfect! Lots of fresh flavor despite pantry staples! Whipped this together quickly with frozen rice. It was delicious and super flavorful!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Love hearing that, thanks Kat!
Bev
This easy, delicious recipe has become a favourite! And the leftovers make perfect lunches.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Glad you love it!! Thanks for leaving a review!
Jenay
Made this tonight and kind of combined with your skillet bake! Added orange/yellow pepper and 2 ears of farmers market corn to the sautee, plus I used beyond meat (my first time using it in any application!) added pickled red onions to the top and it was delish!!!! So quick & easy
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Ooooooooh I love all your additions!! Sounds awesome!
Stefanie
This was SO GOOD! Made with cauliflower rice and served as burritos. A big win in our house! No one knew it was cauli rice 🤫
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Looooove the idea of putting in a burrito!
Bea
I’d like to add spinach as a little bit of green. Is there something I could substitute for corn, I’m allergic.
Laney Schwartz
You can just leave it out!
Daisywulf
Diced carrots would work for that bit of freshness and pop of sweetness you’d get from the corn. And/or serve with fresh tomatoes.
★★★★★
Cathy
Great recipe and so versatile! I like on top of shredded lettuce and my husband wraps it in a flour tortilla. Thank you for this great tasting recipe.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I love how versatile it is! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
Shelley
This is a great meal. Can you freeze it?
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Yes totally!
Janel
This meal is delicious! Followed the recipe with very slight variations on the canned items. Made it Friday but didn’t eat until Sunday. Just served it with steamed broccoli. Can’t wait to try it as filling in a tortilla and also try cauliflower rice! It did however take longer to prepare than stated, but I find that is usually the case for me with recipes…
Thank you!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you Janel!
Rikki R
thank you for the dinner idea. It turned out GREAT
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Love hearing that!!!
Kimberlee
Quick and super easy! Lots of leftovers. I’m looking forward to having it again tomorrow night.😁 my adult son stayed for dinner with his girlfriend and I had to send them home with a take home container and the recipe. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Love hearing that!
Jessica
Made this last night and ate it as a casserole and it was delicious. Used the leftovers for lunch today as burrito filling and it was PERFECT! Even better the next day and so versatile!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Love that idea, Jessica!!
Uncle Phil
Simple and Incredible!!!
Thanks, Laney!
★★★★★
Ki
Do you have the nutrition facts for this meal?
Laney Schwartz
Unfortunately I don’t
Julie
This was delicious! I used pace salsa and regular diced tomatoes since I didn’t have fire-roasted. We loved it – and my 14-yr-old had fourths!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Love this Julie! Thank you for sharing!
Kim
Great dish! I made it as written with brown rice, but omitted the green chilies and added a pinch of oregano, and it was delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe!
restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website
Thanks for the recipe.
Sarah M
Perfect Sunday night meal!!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Isn’t it?! I agree!
Erica
Could you recommend a good mild salsa?
Abehjha
I recommend any of the Frontera mild salsas; they are delicious, but a little salty. Looking for something without as much salt, try Chi-Chi’s mild salsa.
★★★★
Daisywulf
Diced carrots would work for that bit of freshness and pop of sweetness you’d get from the corn. And/or serve with fresh tomatoes.
★★★★★
Erica J Aguero
Any recommendation re: how to use cauliflower rice? Same directions as regular rice?
Teresa
What kind of rice do you use?
Life is but a Dish
Usually Basmati
Shannon
I made this as written, but used my own fire-roasted salsa. It was very good! It came together very easily, and it made a lot, so my husband and I will have dinner all week. Great recipe, thanks!
Life is but a Dish
Hooray! SO happy you love it
Kelly
Can I use riced cauliflower instead?
Life is but a Dish
Yes!
Jessica
Is the 2.5 cups of rice measured before or after it’s cooked?
Life is but a Dish
after its cooked