Tomato Caprese

This casserole recipe originally came from Pinterest but again, I made it my own by adding & subtracting ingredients, experimenting with dairy free cheeses & when we don't want a 'casserole' I stuff this mixture into tomatoes for a twist! I've used turkey burger, hamburger and chicken in this, whatever we've got on hand (pictured is with chicken.) And this is my go-to recipe when I'm heading out of town and want to make something ahead for my the hubs - the full casserole version.

Ingredients:

1lb of turkey burger, ground chicken or hamburger OR 2 chicken breasts or thighs

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 onion diced

(1) package fresh spinach

1/4 cup white wine

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

(1) brick mozzarella shredded (or fresh mozzarella sliced)

(3) large beefsteak tomatoes or 5-6 Roma tomatoes, sliced

Tuscan Herb Olive oil

Basil leaves

Red pepper flakes

Minced Garlic

Tuscan Farmhouse Seasoning

Directions: ​

1. Cook quinoa according to package.

2. Sauté garlic & onion with olive oil in frying pan. Season with Tuscan Farmhouse & add red pepper flakes. Once onions become translucent, add turkey burger, hamburger or ground chicken (If using chicken thighs or breasts, cut chicken into bite size pieces and add to garlic & onion, cook all the way through) and ground  meat until cooked through.

3. Push turkey burger mixture to the side of the frying pan and using olive oil, cook bag of spinach until wilted.

4. Stir all together adding wine. Sprinkle in parmesan cheese & stir together. 

If making casserole following these directions (image shown below):

5. I like to add a bit of shredded mozzarella throughout the casserole then spoon it into a 13x9 glass casserole dish.

6. Once in the dish, place sliced tomatoes all along the top covering the entire casserole in 1 layer.

7. Sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella. 

8. Drizzle olive oil all over the casserole then sprinkle with basil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20- 25 minutes