Description
This High Protein Breakfast Casserole is a hearty and nutritious meal perfect for starting your day with a protein-packed boost. Featuring ground turkey or turkey sausage, eggs, cottage cheese, and vibrant vegetables like onions and red bell peppers, it’s an easy-to-make dish that combines savory flavors with a creamy texture. Topped with shredded cheddar and fresh chives, this casserole bakes to a golden perfection and is ideal for meal prepping or serving a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup fresh chives, finely diced, plus more for garnish
Protein:
- 1 lb ground turkey or ground turkey sausage
- 12 eggs
- 2 cups (16 oz) cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings & Oils:
- Oil, for cooking
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with oil to prevent sticking.
- Saute: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and red bell peppers, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the vegetables and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. In the same skillet, add a little more oil and then the ground turkey. Stir and crumble the meat, seasoning with ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Cook until lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes, then remove and add to the bowl with the vegetables. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Blend: In a blender, combine the remaining ½ teaspoon sea salt, eggs, cottage cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, and finely diced chives. Blend until smooth and creamy. If preferred, you can blend these ingredients using an immersion blender in a bowl. Pour this egg mixture into the bowl with the meat and vegetables and stir everything until well combined.
- Spread: Pour the combined mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Optionally, garnish with additional freshly diced chives for color and a fresh flavor boost.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to sit for 10 minutes after baking to set further, making it easier to cut and serve. Enjoy warm for a delicious and filling breakfast.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey sausage or regular ground turkey depending on your flavor preference.
- If you don’t have a blender, an immersion blender or even whisking by hand is possible, though the texture may be slightly different.
- To make the casserole dairy-free, substitute cottage cheese and cheddar with plant-based alternatives.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, making for convenient meal prep.
- If you prefer a spicier version, consider adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper in the saute step.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/9 of casserole)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 370 mg
