This Healthy Mexican Casserole is simple to prepare, packed with lean protein, light and nutritious with all of your favorite flavors. It's also gluten free and will be ready in just 30 minutes!
Healthy Mexican Casserole
This is one of my family's favorites and I have been making this for YEARS!
We all have those recipes that we keep making. Maybe your mother used to make something similar or you once found the recipe in a magazine and you've just continued making it all the time?
That is this Mexican Casserole for me.
It was one of those recipes that I always threw together and never wrote down the ingredients and instructions until now.
*EDITED TO ADD:
I have since started a low carb diet and yes, I still make this casserole! You can omit the beans and corn altogether and added some cauliflower rice or broccoli rice instead.
Also, you can add some more full fat shredded cheddar cheese and sliced avocado. Let me tell you I was in low carb heaven.
This recipe is so customizable!
If you are looking for some other easy healthy dinner recipes, you need to try this Eggplant Parmesan, Zucchini Ravioli, Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Breasts and this Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup. These would be even more yummy with some Spiked Apple Cider!
Why You Should Make This Healthy Mexican Casserole
This is super easy and healthy, and most importantly DELICIOUS! It's also a great dish for entertaining because it's simple to prepare (you can easily make it ahead of time) and it's also very colorful.
I like when food looks good too. It's always an added bonus.
The best thing about this recipe is how versatile it is! You can wrap it up in a tortilla, eat it over a bed of greens, add avocado or sour cream, or crush tortilla chips on top (my kids love that!)
Any way you eat it, it is delicious!
Also, if you are lucky enough to have leftovers (which probably won't be very often) then they taste great the next day too.
I love repurposing leftovers into lettuce wraps or even quesadillas. Sometimes I add a little more cheese when I reheat it, because....cheese....
You can customize this to whatever you have in the house and whomever might be eating this that night. It's so easy to do and this way I don't have to make 5 different meals.
Check out my video to show you just how easy it is to make...
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground turkey - You can use whatever ground meat you'd like in this healthy Mexican casserole. I used extra lean ground turkey to lower the fat content.
- Extra virgin olive oil - You must know by now the millions of reasons why I love my EVOO. Some of those benefits are that its anti-inflammatory, it may help prevent heart disease and diabetes and may even help to lower cholesterol levels.
- Cumin - Might just be my favorite seasoning! It also contains some antioxidants and has been shown to help control blood sugar and may help fight bacteria.
- Chili powder - Is a blend of ground dried Chile peppers and seasonings. It has also been shown to possibly increase fat burning and metabolism.
- Red pepper flakes - Another one of my favorites, but I like hot and spicy foods. I used to leave this out when my kids were little and didn't like spicy foods.
- Coriander - I feel like coriander is often forgotten. Did you know that cilantro is actually the leaves from a coriander plant? If you like cilantro, you will love coriander.
- Black beans - Packed with fiber, protein and antioxidants, black beans are a wonderful addition to meals and have a soft, creamy texture.
- Pinto beans - Also loaded with fiber, protein and antioxidants and have a creamy, nutty taste.
- Tomatoes - Loaded with antioxidants and has been shown to reduce risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Chili peppers - I told you I love the heat! They're packed with vitamins A, B, C and E. Some studies suggest they act as an antioxidant to protect your cells and prevent inflammation.
- Corn - A little corn goes a long way in this casserole recipe. But this is customizable so if you want more or less, go for it!
- Mexican cheese - You can use whatever cheese you'd like in this healthy Mexican casserole recipe. I used Mexican cheese which is a blend of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero cheeses.
- Cilantro - What can I say, I love cilantro! I do know some people think it tastes like soap which if that's the case, you can absolutely leave it out.
Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips
Absolutely! Simply prepare everything up until you place in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Then, I just pop it in the oven for 20 minutes and it's done! It should be fine in the refrigerator for 1-3 days before cooking.
Definitely! You can easily use another can of beans (whatever variety you choose) or you can use ¾ cup cooked quinoa in place of the ground turkey.
Yes! You can use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in here instead of the cumin, chili pepper and red pepper flakes.
Related Recipes
Mexican Quinoa Lasagna from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Mexican Rice from Dinners, Dishes & Desserts
Chopped Mexican Kale Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Crock Pot Mexican Quinoa Tacos from Chelsea's Messy Apron
Mexican Bean Salad from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
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Healthy Mexican Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder ⅛ tsp if you don’t like it too spicy
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon coriander
- 15 ounces black beans rinsed thoroughly and drained
- 15 ounces pinto beans rinsed thoroughly and drained
- 4-5 plum tomatoes chopped and seeds removed
- 1 teaspoon chopped chili peppers add more or like to your taste
- ½ cup frozen corn
- ¼ cup reduced fat mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put ground turkey in large sauce pan with oil and cook until no longer pink.
- Add cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, coriander and a little water until seasoned. Add pinto & black beans, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced chilis, corn and mix it all together in sauce pan.
- Place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish and add ¼ cup of reduced fat mexican cheese blend on top. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until cheese is melted.
- For my kids, I crumble whole grain tortillas on top.
- I like diced cilantro sprinkled on top. This is great the next for leftovers in a wrap too. ENJOY!
Notes
I promise it tastes just as delicious! And to the opposite end of that, if you like spice, go ahead and add more!
Add some jalalpeno peppers (with the seeds) while you're at it!
Natasha
This Mexican Casserole Is so wonderful! Super delicious, easy to make and healthy too so what a great catch!
Natasha
This Mexican Casserole Is so wonderful! Super delicious, easy to make and healthy too so what a catch!
Abby
Loved this casserole! Was so delicious leftover as well. Will make again.
Sha
We love having this for special occasions! It's super delicious and flavorful! Such a keeper!
Carole Hodgkiss
What kind of chile peppers did you use? Green?
Lauren Kelly
Yes typically I use green but I have also used all types of peppers in here too!
Carole Hodgkiss
The picture of the casserole looks like it has chopped green onions on it, but I don't see them in the ingredients.Did you leave that off purposely?
Kim
What can I substitute for tomatoes. My dad cant have potassium.
Lauren Kelly
Hi Kim! You can either leave out the tomatoes or add red bell pepper. Enjoy
Alison
I made this tonight and it was a hit - poured the mixture over chips for some nachos with a dollop of sour cream. However, is the chili powder and cumin ratio correct? (1/4 teaspoon of each?) The pictures posted indicate much more seasoned turkey, but that small amount didn’t even change the color. I added a splash more chili powder but it still seemed way too little.
Lauren Kelly
Hi Alison! So happy you liked it! I go light on the seasonings because my kids don't love spicy food. You can absolutely add more if you'd like. Thank you so much.
Melissa
Great recipe easy to put together packed with flavor - my family loved it!
Anna
This casserole was a big hit with my family! I'll be adding it to our weekly rotation!
Erin
We made this for dinner and my whole family loved it! I am looking forward to the leftovers for lunch today!
Jamie
Adding this to my monthly rotation! The whole family loved it!
MaryAnn
What's not to like? It's nachos in a 13 x 9" baking pan! Love.
Lauren Kelly
Exactly! I love your description 🙂 Thanks so much!
LindaLee
One of my all time favorite recipes of yours!
I made it today, but veganized it with a meat substitute and vegan cheese. I also baked some of the casserole in two portobello mushrooms. Delicious!!
This is such a versatile and yummy dish. I’m already looking forward to my leftovers.
Lauren Kelly
SO happy you liked it!! xo
John
I'm guessing that it isn't important as to the type of chili peppers called for in this recipe, but wondering if you would be more specific, as there are hundreds of chili pepper types. Thanks, I want to give this recipe a try, it really sounds good and I love Mexican dishes.
Lauren Kelly
Hi John! I use chopped green chili peppers and it's delicious, but you can use whatever you like or already have in the house. I hope you love it!
wilhelmina
We loved this dinner! It is so flavorful and satisfying, definitely took out Mexican night up a notch or two!