When dinner needs to happen fast, this hearty turkey casserole hits all the right notes. Savory ground turkey and mild green chiles simmer in a rich, creamy sauce before getting blanketed under a golden cornbread crust. Using a boxed mix keeps the prep work incredibly simple, while melted pepper Jack cheese and fresh cilantro add a bright, spicy kick to the filling. It's a comforting, all-in-one meal that'll quickly become a family favorite.
Prep
15 min
Cook
40 min
Total
55 min
Servings
6
Course
Category Baking
Ingredients
2 lb. ground turkey
1 cup sliced green onions
1 (10¾ -oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1 (4-oz.) can chopped green chiles
4 oz. pepper Jack cheese, shredded, divided (about 1 cup)
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (6-oz.) pkg. buttermilk cornbread mix
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
1Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the meat crumbles and loses its pink color. Add the sliced green onions and cook for another 2 minutes to soften.
2Pour the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and chopped green chiles into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then take the pan off the heat. Fold in 3/4 cup of the shredded pepper Jack cheese and 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro. Taste the filling and season with salt and black pepper.
3Coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the turkey and cheese mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
4Stir together the buttermilk cornbread mix, 3/4 cup of water, 3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro, and the remaining 1/4 cup of pepper Jack cheese in a bowl. Pour this batter evenly over the turkey filling in the baking dish.
5Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cornbread topping turns golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving so the filling can set.
Notes
Make ahead: You can prepare the turkey filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat it slightly on the stove before adding the fresh cornbread batter and baking.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Swap: If you don't have pepper Jack, sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack works beautifully in this casserole.