Description
This Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole is a flavorful and healthy twist on traditional Mexican dishes, combining tender spaghetti squash with ground turkey, colorful bell peppers, and a medley of beans and spices. Baked to perfection with a cheesy topping, this casserole is a comforting and nutritious meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Produce
- 2 lbs spaghetti squash
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
Meat
- 1 lb ground turkey
Canned Goods
- 11.5 oz canned corn, drained
- 18 oz canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 4.3 oz canned green chiles
- 18 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
- 10 oz canned enchilada sauce
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheese (mozzarella or Monterey Jack)
Spices and Others
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook spaghetti squash: Cook the spaghetti squash until it becomes tender—this can be done by baking, boiling, or microwaving. Once cooked, shred the flesh using a fork to create noodle-like strands.
- Brown the turkey: In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until fully browned. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the shredded spaghetti squash, cooked ground turkey, chopped bell peppers, drained corn, black beans, green chiles, diced tomatoes with their juices, enchilada sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and eggs thoroughly until well blended.
- Assemble the casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or oil. Transfer the mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and ingredients to cook through.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Rest before serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven; this helps it set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- You can cook the spaghetti squash by baking it at 400°F for about 40 minutes or microwave it for 10-12 minutes until tender.
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
- Adjust spices according to your heat tolerance; add more chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper for extra kick.
- For a vegetarian version, omit ground turkey and add extra beans or sautéed vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican casserole, spaghetti squash recipes, healthy dinner, ground turkey casserole, baked casserole, Mexican comfort food
