Ground Turkey Taco Rice Bake

Ground Turkey Taco Rice Bake combines ground turkey, taco seasoning, cooked rice in a creamy oven-baked dish with a warm, generous filling. It is a practical way to bring the main components of dinner together in one baking dish.

The key is to prepare the components before assembly, then bake just long enough to heat the center and finish the topping. The amounts below make approximately 6 servings. Oven times are a guide: the depth of the dish and whether the filling starts warm or chilled affect the final cooking time.

Recipe overview

Servings: approximately 6
Preparation: about 20–25 minutes, plus any separate cooking or thawing
Oven temperature: 375°F
Equipment: 9-by-13-inch baking dish, mixing bowl and skillet or saucepan

Ingredients

Ground turkey — 1 lb
Taco seasoning — 1 tablespoon, or to taste
Cooked rice — 3 cups
Salsa — 1 1/2 cups
Black beans — 1 can (15 oz), drained
Corn — 1 1/2 cups
Cheddar cheese — 1 1/2 cups, shredded or thinly sliced
Sour cream — 3/4 cup
Salt, to taste after adding sauces and cheese

Preparation notes

Cook the rice separately according to its package directions before assembly. This version uses about 3 cups cooked rice, not uncooked rice; the sauce is intended to coat the grains rather than cook them from dry.

Brown the ground meat or sausage fully in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat before mixing it with the sauce and other filling ingredients.

Directions

Preparing Ground Turkey Taco Rice Bake before baking

Use fully cooked rice in the mixing and baking steps below.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, brown the ground turkey and stir in the taco seasoning until well combined.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice, salsa, black beans, and corn with the seasoned turkey.
Transfer the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream on top!

Continue baking as necessary until the center is hot and the edges are bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for a better bake

Warm dairy gently and stir until smooth. Hard boiling can separate a creamy sauce. Add a splash of milk or pasta water if it becomes too thick to coat the filling.
Taste the cooked filling before adding more seasoning. Bottled sauces, seasoning blends and cheeses vary in salt and heat, so season gradually.

What to serve with it

Pair the bake with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables. Serve from both the edge and the center so every portion includes some of the topping and the saucy filling.

Make-ahead and leftovers

For easier assembly, prepare the components ahead and refrigerate promptly in covered containers. Assemble when ready to bake. A chilled dish needs additional oven time; cover loosely at first if the topping colors before the center heats. Creamy fillings thicken as they cool, so loosen an individual portion with a small splash of milk or water before warming. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat until hot throughout.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change the cheese?

Choose another cheese with a similar melting texture, keeping the total amount about the same. Use hard grating cheese for flavor rather than replacing all of the softer melting cheese.

How can I prevent a dry filling?

Do not overcook the components before assembly. Keep the filling covered for part of baking if the surface is drying before the center heats. Stop baking once the filling is hot and the topping is ready, then allow a short rest before serving.

Ground Turkey Taco Rice Bake

A creamy and warm baked dish that combines ground turkey, taco seasoning, and cooked rice, bringing together all main dinner components in one convenient baking dish.

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 20

Total Time 45

Serving Size 6 servings

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 lb Ground turkey
1 tablespoon Taco seasoning or to taste
3 cups Cooked rice Use fully cooked rice.
1.5 cups Salsa
1 can (15 oz) Black beans drained
1.5 cups Corn
1.5 cups Cheddar cheese shredded or thinly sliced
3/4 cup Sour cream
Salt to taste after adding sauces and cheese

Instructions

Preparation

Cook the rice separately according to its package directions before assembly.
Brown the ground turkey in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces, and drain excess fat before mixing with the sauce and other filling ingredients.

Cooking

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, brown the ground turkey and stir in the taco seasoning until well combined.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice, salsa, black beans, and corn with the seasoned turkey.
Transfer the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream on top!
Continue baking as necessary until the center is hot and the edges are bubbling.
If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Warm dairy gently and stir until smooth to avoid separation. Taste the filling before adding more seasoning, as bottled sauces and seasonings can vary. For make-ahead, prepare components and refrigerate until ready to bake. Serve with a crisp salad or steamed vegetables.