Greek Casserole with Turkey, Rice, and Feta

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This Greek inspired casserole is loaded with ground turkey, a quick cooking tomato sauce, rice, and feta. Bonus? It's healthy and weeknight friendly!

I gotta be honest.... this recipe almost never made it to the blog. Casseroles are really (really) difficult to photograph and it just wasn't that attractive (though most casseroles don't have much visual appeal!). I ultimately decided it should be shared because it's DARN TASTY.

Simply brown ground turkey and onions, simmer it in a flavorful tomato sauce until everything is delicious, then stir in cooked rice, feta, and parsley. Bake. If you can think ahead of time and cook the rice the night before, you can have this on the table even faster!


This may remind you of your favorite stuffed pepper recipe - except without the work!

 
Greek Casserole with Turkey, Rice, and Feta
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 lb lean ground turkey
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups cooked brown rice (can sub white rice)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the meat is browned through and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the cooked rice, 1/2 cup of the feta, and the parsley. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of feta.

Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Serve hot. 

Source: slightly adapted from Cookin' Canuck

Greek Feta Tzatziki

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A thick and creamy tzatziki that's loaded with feta cheese! It's perfect used as a dip, stuffed into a pita sandwich, or drizzled over grilled chicken.

This is the last recipe from my recent all-things-Greek week, which included this amazing charred eggplant with chermoula and these easy grilled lamb kufta kebabs. This feta sauce was the perfect addition - it can (and probably should!) be made in advance so you can enjoy it over the span of several days. We used it as a dip (with grilled pita bread) and, later in the week, drizzled it over pita pockets stuffed with leftover meatballs.

The key to thick and creamy tzatziki sauce is really squeezing out as much liquid as possible from the cucumber. I use a cheesecloth, like what I use to make cheese, but any clean towel would work. After that step, this sauce is super easy; you don't even need to pull out a food processor - just a bowl!

This tastes better the next day - feel free to whip is up a day or two in advance and really let those flavors come out!

 

Greek Feta Tzatziki
1 medium cucumber, grated
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, plus more for topping
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper, to taste

Place the grated cucumber in a clean towel and squeeze over the sink to remove as much liquid as possible. Repeat with a new towel if needed. Once dry as possible, place the cucumber in a mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Gently stir until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Refrigerate until ready to use. Top with additional feta just before serving.