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Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Peppers, Zucchini and Tomato {Super Simple}

 This Paleo casserole is made of layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey to make it protein packed and healthy! It’s easy to make, and the whole family will love it!

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

It’s FRIDAY!

And I made you ugly food.

Clearly, I don’t beat around the bush. I believe in just coming out and SAYIN’ IT.

Casseroles? My friends, there is no such thing as a pretty slop of veggies, meat, who knows what else (don’t worry, there are no weirdo unmentionables in this GUD 4 U pile of ugly-osity) on a plate.

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Which is why I may or may not have had a panic attack shooting it. And I also may or may not suggest that, if you’re a food blogger, don’t plan to shoot a casserole on your weekend.

It might result in lots of wine.

So maybe you should shoot them on the weekend?

Anyway.

Today’s post is a wee bit different from the normal insanity and cray crays that normally grace your peepers on this little space of the interwebz called FFF. Aside from the above paragraphs, of course.

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Today, a whole bunch of us bloggers are getting together to help raise money for The Wagner Family.

Who are they, you ask? Well, Ashley Wagner is the sweet chica behind the blog “Center Cut Cook.”  Although, I haven’t had a TON of connection with Ashley, her story really struck my heart and I knew I wanted to participate in this fundraiser.

Here’s a bit of a run-down of said story: Ashley and Ryan (her husband) found out they were expecting their first baby….one week before they found out that Ryan (who was super healthy) had stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes in his abdomen.

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Then Miles, their baby, was born.  He was healthy…for 8 short weeks.

Ashley noticed him doing something odd, like a seizure, and immediately took him in.  After many tests, it was determined that he, at 2 months old, was in kidney failure. He has a rare disease called “Primary Hyperoxaluria” and will need a kidney and liver transplant to save his little life.

I am not a parent, nor do I have any maternal instincts yet, but this totally breaks. My. Heart.

Their days are so busy dealing with all this illness, constant care, medications and all the other stuff that goes with being dealt such a rough hand.

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Which is why we are all gathering together to make recipes that you would bring to people in this situation, to fill up their freezer.

This casserole is EZ PZ to make and is loaded with FRESH veggies, protein-packed ground turkey and full of how-is-it-still-delicious-without-cheese-because-don’t-casseroles-need-be-99%-cheese-to-be-good?

My peeps, we’re changing the sloppy ugly food GAYMEEEE around here today.

And it’s all for a good cause

Which means you can’t judge the brown-ness hiding under all that strategically placed green-tarragon-prettiness youhearme? 😉

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Please check out all the other recipes to help raise awareness for the Wagner family, and it would be so great if you could help us out with our fundraiser. Really, anything helps!

Print

Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Peppers, Zucchini and Tomato

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4 People
Calories 321 kcal
Author Taylor

Ingredients

For the casserole:

  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Olive oil divided
  • 1 Lb 93% Lean Ground turkey
  • 1/2 Cup Onion diced (about half a small onion)
  • 1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp Tomato paste
  • Pepper
  • 1 Large zucchini sliced 1/4 thick
  • 1 tsp Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin powder
  • 1/8 tsp Cardamom powder
  • 1/8 tsp Oregano flakes
  • 1/4 tsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp Fresh Tarragon minced + additional for garnish
  • 1 Large tomato thinly sliced
  • 1 Cup Orange bell pepper diced (about 1 large pepper)

For the sauce:

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Almond meal
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Coconut flour
  • 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond milk
  • Salt/pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and brush an8x8 inch panwith olive oil. Set aside
  2. In a large pan, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Add in the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, and the outside is nice and browned. Stir in the diced onion, tomato paste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Place the sliced zucchini into a large bowl and toss with remaining tsp of olive oil and garlic. In a separate, small bowl, mix together the salt, cumin, cardamom, oregano and chili powder. Add into the zucchini and toss, making sure the spices are evenly coated.
  5. Spread the zucchini onto the bottom of the prepared pan (it's ok if you have overlap on a few pieces) and sprinkle the fresh tarragon over top.
  6. Spoon the turkey mixture on top of the zucchini and press down, so that the turkey is nice and packed. Lay the sliced tomato on top of the turkey in an even layer. Finish by sprinkling the diced bell pepper over top of the tomato evenly.
  7. Cover the casserole and bake for 15 minutes.
  8. While the casserole bakes, make the sauce by heating the olive oil in a large pan over medium/high heat.
  9. Add in the almond meal and coconut flour and cook until the flours begin to absorb into the oil and turn a dark brown, about 1 minute. Think dark peanut butter here.
  10. Pour in the almond milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium so that the sauce stays at a steady low boil. Stir often to ensure it does not burn.
  11. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10-11 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  12. Once the casserole bakes, pour the sauce over-top evenly and bake, uncovered, for another 45 minutes.
  13. Let stand for 10 minutes and then slice, garnish with additional tarragon and DEVOUR.

Nutrition Facts
Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Peppers, Zucchini and Tomato
Amount Per Serving
Calories 321 Calories from Fat 178
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19.8g 30%
Saturated Fat 4.2g 21%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.9g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 80mg 27%
Sodium 609.5mg 25%
Potassium 521.3mg 15%
Total Carbohydrates 13.9g 5%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 4.7g
Protein 25.2g 50%
Vitamin A 25.2%
Vitamin C 21.5%
Calcium 13.8%
Iron 18.4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

(per 1/4 of the casserole)

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAG @FOODFAITHFIT AND #FOODFAITHFITNESS ON INSTRAGRAM! I LOVE SEEING YOUR RECIPE RECREATIONS!  :)


Follow their story on Facebook or donate below! Thank you so much!

Want more casseroles?
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BBQ Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
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Broccoli Cheddar Zucchini Noodle Casserole
Paleo Casserole with Turkey, Zucchini and Peppers - Layers of fresh veggies, bright herbs and turkey make this protein packed and healthy! It's easy to make, and the whole family will love it! | Foodfaithfitness.com | @FoodFaithFit

Here are all the other recipes for a good cause, be sure to check them out!

Sugar Dish Me made this Easy Chicken Broccoli Bake

That Skinny Chick Can Bake made Mexican Chicken Manicotti

Spend with Pennies made Chicken Noodle Casserole (from Scratch)

Wishes & Dishes made this Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini

Frugal Foodie Mama made Pizza Pierogi Casserole

Snappy Gourmet made Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole

Miss in the Kitchen made a Chicken and Mushroom Tortellini Bake

Life, Love, and Good Food made this Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Bless This Mess made Quick and Easy Summer Chicken Salad

Mandy’s Recipe Box collected 30 Freezer Meals

Hugs and Cookies made Baked Parmesan Meatball Casserole

Barbara Bakes made this Veal & Wild Mushroom Stew

A Cedar Spoon made Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper, & Gouda Macaroni & Cheese

It’s Yummi made an Easy Cheese & Sausage Pizza Bake

A Family Feast made these Easy Freezer Meatballs

Stuck on Sweet made Homemade Goulash

Two Healthy Kitchens made a 5-Ingredient Easy Pasta Bake

It Bakes Me Happy made a Peach Skillet Galette

STAY IN DA KNOW WITH THINGS GOING ON AT FFF (AND GET SPECIAL BEHIND-THE-SCENES INFO) BY FOLLOWING ALONG ON PINTEREST, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

This post may contain affiliate links, but I only recommend products that I actually use and <3. Thanks for supporting FFF! 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Despite the fact that casseroles aren’t the prettiest of foods, you did a darn good job shooting it. 🙂 Seriously, I want all of that goodness on my plate. The story of the Wagner family is heartbreaking. I will be sure to look at the donation website and will be thinking of them and sending positivity their way.

    Reply

    • Thanks for the positive thoughts Erin – means a lot! And double thanks for not hating on the casserole uglyness – you da bestest! Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  2. What a great cause to bring awareness to. I’ve been following their story too, and it just breaks my heart. I’m loving this casserole and have been looking for healthy freezer meals to make ahead of time for when the babe comes…looks like I just found a gold mine of recipes!

    Reply

  5. Welllll, my girlyfriend. Apparently you didn’t get the memo that it’s “make and shoot ugly but delicious food week”. For reals. Because once you see my pan of uuuugh-a-mess, you’ll completely understand that you’re in good company, AND that your “mess” is actually quite gorgeous. I mean, the color! The healthy goodness… *thump thump*

    Reply

    • Haha, you are just too sweet! I am sure yours is full of beauty and yumminess too friend! Thank you xoxo

      Reply

  9. Loving this casserole Taylor and it totally looks delicious, seriously, what are you talking about!

    PS Thanks for letting me know about the Wagners, I’m definitely going to help!

    Reply

  10. I LOVE that you are doing this to help the Wagners out. It just breaks my heart to think of what they are going through. I can’t even fathom it. You’re a good egg Taylor 🙂 Annnndddd welcome to the world of brown food. You made this casserole look DELICIOUS!

    Reply

    • RIGHT! I can’t even begin to imagine either. And thank you so much friend! Brown food though? NOT MY FRIEND.

      Reply

  16. Literally laughing out loud over here at you calling this ugly. Totally not. Looks delicious and can’t wait to try it. Love that you’re doing this to help out the Wagner’s. I’m so sad to hear this story.

    Reply

  20. You crack me up!! Casseroles are tough to photograph – no doubt!! (I still love your photos, btw!)

    I don’t know about you … but I think about the Wagner family every day. I pray for them and just hope everything is going well for them. I’ve not met Ashley, but she surely seems like the most positive person out there! I’d love to meet her someday, and just give her a huge hug!!

    So happy to work together on such an amazing project!! Hugs to you too! 🙂

    Reply

  21. It broke my heart reading your story about Ashley and her family. I can’t even begin to imagine. I live in a country where medical care is free and can’t even begin to imagine having to struggle financially when you’re struggling with your health. It’s so sad! I’m sending lots of positive thoughts to Ashley, her husband and their little one.

    You’re casserole looks delicious! I think you did a great job of turning a pile of brown food into something that looks totally good. 🙂

    Reply

  22. Hi, I was wondering if we can freeze this? if yes, should I freeze it after I pour the sauce over it or should cook it completely and then freeze it? You might have given these freezing tips in you description or comments but I really have no time right now to read through it;(

    Reply

    • To be honest, I have not frozen it myself so I really can’t tell you 100% for sure either way! I’m sorry!
      My gut tells me it would be best to cook it first but again, I can’t tell you for sure! Please let me know if you try it Margaret!

      Reply

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