Tater Tot Casserole

 Tater Tot Casserole

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 Tbsp light sour cream
• 32 oz bag tater tots

Preheat oven to 350°. Brown ground turkey with onions and garlic. In a large bowl, mix together soup, 1 cup cheese, milk, and sour cream. Add meat mixture and mix well. Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, cover with a layer of tater tots, then the remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

Gluten-Free Parmesan Meat Muffins

Parmesan Gluten Free Meat Muffins (adapted from this meatloaf recipe):

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 (4 oz) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup marinara pasta sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two muffins pans with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the marinara sauce and Italian cheese blend. Divide evenly into the muffin pans. 

Cover each muffin with a spoonful or two of marinara sauce. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and top each muffin with shredded cheese (I used more than the 1/2 cup). Place them back in the oven and bake until the cheese melts.

Remove from the oven allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole (adapted from Paula Deen’s Cookbook for the Lunchbox Set cookbook): 

• 1 lb ground turkey
• One 28 oz can chopped/diced Italian flavored tomatoes 
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 8 oz noodles
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium heat. Drain the fat. Add the tomatoes with their juice, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain noodles and combine with the meat mixture. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy.

Zucchini Enchilada Boats

Zucchini Enchilada Boats (adapted from skinnytaste.com)

• One can of red enchilada sauce
• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 tsp oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. ground turkey, browned and drained
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

For the Zucchini Boats: Bring a large pot of water to boil.

Preheat oven to 400°. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and using a small spoon or melon baller, scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4” thick. Chop the scooped out flesh of the zucchini in small pieces and set aside. Drop the zucchini halves in boiling water and cook 1 minute; remove from water.

In a large saute pan, heat oil and add onion and garlic. Cook on medium-low heat for about 2-3 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add chopped zucchini; season with salt and pepper and cook about 4 minutes. Add the cumin, oregano, chili powder, and tomato paste and cook a few more minutes, then add in browned ground turkey and enchilada sauce; mix and cook 3 more minutes.

Place zucchini halves cut side up in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add a little water to the bottom of the pan. Using a spoon, fill each hollowed zucchini with 1/3 cup meat mixture, pressing firmly.

Top each with 1 1/2 tablespoons each of shredded cheese. 

Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes until cheese is melted and zucchini is cooked through. 

Top with scallions and/or cilantro for garnish and serve with low fat sour cream if desired.