This Turkey Quinoa Taco Bake is a family comfort food favorite, hidden veggies and all. Using precooked quinoa, store bought pico and canned tomato sauce, dinner will be on the table in no time!
Confession # 13- I ate more of this than I should have.
It was just that good.
Between daylight savings and a baby with an ear infection (but hooray for tubes today!), this momma is tired. No, exhausted. And all I want to do is curl up with a bowl of something warm and comforting for dinner.
Something with cheese. Lots of melty cheese.
But I also want to stay on plan. And I need another green in my day.
This dish is exactly that. But packed with protein, veggies and some extra hidden veggies, I can indulge and stick to the plan. And I actually had some leftover cooked quinoa from my meal prep, so this came together super quick.
#winning
Nobody needs to know about that zucchini, either. It’s shredded so teeny tiny that you can’t even see it.
I won’t tell if you don’t tell.
What do I need to make Turkey Quinoa Taco Bake?
- lean ground turkey
- diced onion, tomato and peppers **you can use premade fresh salsa or 2 cans of Rotelle
- tomato sauce (use homemade or no sugar added to count as a GREEN!)
- shredded zucchini
- cooked quinoa
- shredded cheese
- fresh garlic
- avocado
- chili powder
- cumin
- fresh cilantro
Looking for more Taco recipes? Try one of these-
21 Day Fix Instant Pot Flank Steak Tacos
Hidden Cauliflower Taco Meat (21 Day Fix Friendly/Instant Pot Friendly)
21 Day Fix Grilled Pork Tacos with Avocado Peach Salsa
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa [Gluten Free | 21 Day Fix | WW]
Looking for more Mexican inspired recipes? Check out these recipe roundups-
Healthy Instant Pot Mexican Favorites (21 Day Fix | 80 Day Obsession | Weight Watchers)
21 Day Fix Healthy Mexican Recipe Roundup
Turkey Quinoa Taco Bake
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 1/2 cups diced onion, tomato and peppers **you can use premade fresh salsa or 2 cans of Rotel
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce use homemade or no sugar added to count as a GREEN!
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
- 3 cloves garlic diced
- 1/3 cup avocado diced or sliced, optional
- 1 tablespoon chili powder + 2 tsp of cumin or 2T Salt Free Taco Seasoning
- fresh cilantro optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Sauté the garlic and turkey until the meat is no longer pink. Add spices and tomato mixture and simmer for few minutes.
- Next, add in the secret shredded zucchini. Again- simmer together for two minutes or so.
- Add cooked quinoa and sauce.
- Spray a casserole pan with cooking spray and add meat and quinoa mixture. Top with cheese and fresh cilantro.
- Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly awesome. Portion into 4 servings and (optional) top each with 2 Tbsp avocado, if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Genie says
Do you have the nutrient breakdown for this recipe? I need calories, fat, carbs,etc for my plan. Thanks!
Nancylynn says
I actually don’t because I find those nutritional calculators to not be super reliable…but if you plug this into myfitnesspal, that should help!
Josette says
Is there a instant pot or slow cooker version of this recipe?
Nancylynn says
Close! I have this one – https://confessionsofafitfoodie.com/2016/06/21-day-fix-crock-pot-quinoa-taco-casserole
Teja says
Is there something I can substitute with instead of the meat option. I am vegetarian and this recipe looks yummy.
Nancylynn says
You can easily leave the meat out and add extra veggies and more quinoa!
Erin says
How long would you say that you usually bake it for?
Nancylynn says
About 15 minutes!
Traci says
This is so delicious. I couldn’t find quinoa at Aldi ( since I have three under 4 and I literally run through the grocery store) so I used a little brown rice instead. I’ve tried it with the quinoa and the hubby loves it too! I have yet to try a bad recipe from you! Thanks for all the help in the kitchen ?
Nancylynn says
Three under four…you are my hero, momma! I am SO happy the recipes are helping and yummy for you guys! I am TOTALLY going to try this with rice now- thank you for the idea. <3
Courtney says
WE thought this was great!! About how long didn’t you cook it for for the cheesy awesomeness?
Susan says
Yummy! And the hubs didn’t even notice the zucchini! This recipe went in the keep pile, we added homemade taco seasoning and some green onion on top after out of the oven! Can’t wait for lunch tomorrow..
Nancylynn says
This is awesome! <3
Laura says
Hi! Can I use extra lean ground beef? I don’t have turkey on hand.
Btw, I’m new to your blog and I really am loving it! I’ve come to find that
EVERY recipe I try will taste great!! Thank you so much!!
Nancylynn says
YES!!! And thank you – that is my ultimate goal! <3 <3 <3
Sarah Ransom says
Ok, I have to admit, I was a little nervous about this recipe…I wasn’t sure my family was going to enjoy it but I decided to give it a shot anyway. WOW! My whole family LOVED it, they all went back for seconds or thirds. Definitely a new family favorite. Thank you for providing recipes that are super yummy and healthy to boot!
Nancylynn says
YAY!! Thank you for trusting me and giving it a try – so happy to hear it worked out!
Alyssa says
Is it possible to use more tomatoes instead of tomato sauce? I forgot tomato sauce at the store?
Nancylynn says
I think that would be fine!
Danielle says
I tried this recipe last night and LOVED it! I’m not doing 21 day fix, so do you have the nutritional information for this?? thanks!
Nancylynn says
I do not, but I love myfitnesspal for this kind of thing!
Hillary says
For the 2 1/2 c tomato, onion, peppers: is that combine 2 1/2 c.? Also, you can sub the rotelle for that all instead?
Nancylynn says
Yes! 🙂
Mandy Pierce says
This looks so good! If you leave the cheese out, does that change the container count at all?
Nancylynn says
Yes! It changes the blue! There will be no blue in the recipe – but if you choose to add avocado to the top, then you should measure in a blue container to see how much you have. Make sense?
Lisa says
I’ve made this twice – which the family loves! My coworkers always get jealous and compare it to fancy mexican food. I use this for meal prep too. Not only does it freeze nicely, you can prep things (like the zucchini or quinoa) ahead of time and freeze it. I use my kitchen ninja to mince the zucchini and no one ever knows it is in there!
Nancylynn says
This is so awesome, Lisa! Thanks so much for taking the time write – you made my day! Love the idea of prepping this ahead, too, and wonder how it would work in individual mason jars? Hmmm…
Martha says
I’ve made this before but can’t remember if I halved the recipe. What size casserole pan do you use? Good recipe!
Nancylynn says
I’m so sorry to keep you waiting!! I use a 9×13 pan.
Jessica says
Can you omit the zucchini? I really want to make this tonight but don’t have any
Nancylynn says
Yup!
Aimee says
Great recipe! What are the container counts for this?
Nancylynn says
Sorry about that! It’s updated now – 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 blue 🙂
Cassie says
How much do you eat at a time?
like does a cup equal the container amounts?
Nancylynn says
1/4 of the pan is a serving!! 🙂
Amber says
I feel like I screwed something up. This fit into a 9×13 baking dish. 1/4 of that can’t be 1 serving!!??
Nancylynn says
Ummm…yes it can, lol! 🙂
Mary says
Do you drain the Rotel?
Nancylynn says
Nope!
Mary says
Thanks! Sounds yummy!
Amanda says
Can you eat this cold? I don’t have a microwave at work 🙁
Nancylynn says
I would!
Lisa says
Can I skip the avocado?
Nancylynn says
yes!
Chelsea Jevens says
Hey Nancylynn!!! Definitely interested in some of your yummy, healthy recipes! Thanks so much!! This one (taco quinoa bake) looks great!
Xoxo
Chelsea (Strazza)
Nancylynn says
Yay! So good to hear from you, Chelsea! Hope all is well!