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Low Calorie Ground Turkey Casserole made with zucchini, brown rice and artichokes is an easy, make ahead Italian flavored casserole. A nourishing, healthy dinner that’s filling and bursting with Italian flavorings.
Lately, motivation has been tough. If you’ve been following me awhile, you know I love working out. Considering the gym is dead right now, I should be dying to go so I can have the whole place to myself so I can do circuits without a zillion people everywhere.
One of the perks of living in Arizona is no one goes to the gym in the winter, even in January. Everyone wants to be outside in one of the cooler months of the year.
So how do I push myself through times when I’m not feeling it? Change it up!
A lot of times when I’m stuck in the same routine or doing the same activities swapping my gym days or activities around is enough to get myself going again. For instance, I haven’t been wanting to lift as much lately so I switched my routine around so I could do more 8 mile walks.
Instead of pushing myself to do something, I’m not that into at the moment I follow what my soul tells me it need more of.
These changes are really good for your brain. The brain adapts easy to routines which means you work less in your workouts when you’re always doing the same thing over and over. This is why if you always drive the same route every day you can drive home on autopilot in the blink of an eye.
The biggest mistake I see people doing at the gym is doing the exact routine over and over again every day. They never do anything different and that’s why they don’t see changes in their bodies. You always have to challenge yourself in different ways. That doesn’t mean going longer. It means doing things differently or in a different order.
I notice many of my weight loss clients are this way with food too. Often the body adapts to what you’re eating the same way it does with exercise. If things are feeling off or you’re feeling under motivated, switching things up can make a big difference.
Speaking of switching things up, I switched up this low calorie casserole with ground turkey. The recipe was originally published in 2015 with horrible pictures. Seriously, I have no idea how you guys stuck with me through those ugly photo years. You’re amazing!
I couldn’t allow this recipe to be represented that way any longer though. It’s just too shameful for something so delicious! So I upgraded the recipe by adding more seasonings, spiralized zucchini and artichokes which I love sneaking into recipes wherever I can.
Artichokes are prebiotics which are a type of non digestible fiber the body can’t break down. They pass through the small intestine then reach the colon where they’re fermented by gut microflora.
Essentially, they’re “fuel,” for good bacteria that live in your gut. Gut health is closely tied to many bodily functions. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in battling inflammation and lowering overall disease risk (helpful for weight loss too!).
Adding artichokes to this Low Calorie Italian Casserole was an easy way to increase the fiber while preserving the yummy taste. In fact, I think it adds to that amazing flavor!
This Low Calorie Italian Casserole is by far one of my favorite go to dinners. You can prep it ahead of time and freeze then just bake during the week for an easy dinner. It’s also high in protein and complex carbs. What I call a balanced meal! Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have more horrible pictures to tackle.
P.S. I use this spiralizer and love it. It’s cheap too!
Low Calorie Ground Turkey Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey breast
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup brown rice, cooked
- 2 zucchini, sliced into thin medallions or spiralized
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup artichokes, water drained and sliced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F. While the oven is cooking, cook the rice.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey with the seasonings and garlic.
- When the turkey is about half way through browning, add the artichokes and marinara sauce to the pan. Stir to combine and cook until meat is browned.
- Remove the pan from heat then pour 1/4 of the meat sauce into a 9-inch by 9-inch square casserole dish top with 1/4 cup of the cooked brown rice then a few slices of zucchini. Repeat this process 3 times until all ingredients are used. Sprinkle the top with the parmesan.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil then bake another 15 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to sit 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How big of package of ground turkey? That brand sells 1lb, 1.5lb and 3lb. A weight or quantity would be nice on packaged goods because that would really change the consistency of the meal. Thanks 🙂
Such a great alternative to pasta! This casserole sounds amazing 🙂
Thanks! I couldn’t live without my spiralizer.
I NEED TO ORDER THAT SPIRALIZER!!! Um, I don’t have a gym membership anymore…. currently, I bounce between OTF, TI Fitness, and the MCC gym. I think I’m still adverse to working in a gym after being in one for so long. like 70 hours a week. PS your feedly isn’t feeding….. sorry to bring a fire to your attention first thing Monday morning.
I don’t use Feedly so I wouldn’t even know what to do about that.
This sounds so good! Thank you for sharing it at the Home Matters Party. Join us again next Friday!
You swear this amazing casserole is low calorie? You’re a treasure, Megan! 😀
Aw! Thank you!
One inch is a big difference! I can’t believe you were told to be sedentary. Geez! And isn’t it so weird how we just have different kinds of connections with people? Some are just amazing, and some are like, meh. Good for you for being aware of all that and taking initiative.
Unfortunately they cannot correct it all the way either. I wouldn’t be able to get my foot fully into my shoe.
Interesting info with the gait analysis, facing these imbalances sort of sucks yet at least explains what’s going on. Glad that she said the trails are great since you’ve been loving that! I know I have imbalances and they are very apparent now through yoga, I’m sure my short quick steps and supportive shoes are what keep me from being constantly injured.
I didn’t realize how common short steps are. I always thought most runners wanted longer strides. I was surprised when she told me research has shown the opposite is good for running/walking.
I have noticed that extension issue quite a bit with people on treadmills, Megan. Some people do much better with a rugged terrain to work with vs. the conveyor belt of doom. I absolutely LOATHE treadmills, but sometimes I have to make it work!
Hope you’re enjoying Germany!
Also, that casserole looks awesome — I made one the other night and forgot how much I love me some casserole action! 🙂
I’ve always thought the treadmill was not a great place to train. Too much vibration from the belt and it does more work for you. It’s more challenging to be on the road.
Can I come visit? Never been to Germany but on my bucket list!
Would love to have you here!
Germany!!! Thats awesome Megan! How exciting! Intersting to read about your gait analysis though, hope you get it figured out soon….but it is good they are being thorough! Enjoy Munich! You should make the most of it, I have always wanted to go there 🙂
They’re correcting it, but they can’t correct it fully. I’d be falling out of my shoe. My body’s compensated for many years so fully compensating isn’t a good idea.