{"id":5631,"date":"2019-11-01T16:00:21","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T21:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/?p=5631"},"modified":"2024-01-25T07:59:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T12:59:54","slug":"slow-cooker-creamy-tomato-and-turkey-casserole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/slow-cooker-creamy-tomato-and-turkey-casserole","title":{"rendered":"Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato and Turkey Casserole"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato and Turkey Casserole - a comforting home-cooked casserole perfect any night of the week and a family favourite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Slow Cooker Turkey Casserole<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Turkey is probably not a regular on my menu I must admit, but when I can get my hands on some turkey thighs this is my go-to dish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey thighs are perfect for slow cooking, stay nice and tender and absorb all the yummy flavour of whatever you cook them in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy them already boneless and ready to go or on the bone with skin attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either is perfectly fine, you can even leave it on the bone if you prefer, and just remove the skin and any visible fat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What type of Slow Cooker or Crockpot is best?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Personally, you don't need any special or expensive slow cooker, they all do the same job regardless of the price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I do like the ones where you can use the inner pot of the slow cooker on a stove for searing\/browning any ingredients before setting it to cook. Like this Morphy Richards Accents Sear and Stew Slow Cooker.<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you own an Instant Pot<\/a><\/strong>, you can also use the Slow Cook feature on that, following the recipe exactly as in the recipe box below, but instant browning using the saute function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Slow Cooker to Oven Conversion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I do not own a slow cooker, can this be cooked in the oven? Yes, it sure can, just use an ovenproof casserole dish. Cast iron dutch oven pots are perfect for the oven and you can cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For slow cooking on low, you will want to set your oven to 165c (145c if you have a fan oven), 325f or gas mark 3. Then cook for 1.5-2hours following all the browning and additional steps as in recipe box below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I use Chicken instead of Turkey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you can't get hold of turkey thighs, then yes chicken thighs are a perfect replacement. You can use chicken breast if you prefer, but I find thigh meat is always best for casseroles of slow-cooked dishes like this Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato and Turkey Casserole because the meat will stay nice and tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breast meat will also cook quicker, so you may need to adjust the timings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can I use Quark instead of the Cream Cheese? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Personally, my answer is no. Quark is sour and not creamy at all, plus it has a tendency to split when added to anything hot and the last thing you want to do is ruin this delicious casserole by stirring in some quark at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend using light Philadelphia or a store own brand of low fat\/light cream cheese. An ingredient that is perfect for stirring into hot dishes to make a healthier creamy sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it does have a small value, but when divided up into portions, its really not much from your daily allowance and its worth it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to serve with this Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato and Turkey Casserole<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This recipe comes packed with lots of healthy vegetables like onions, carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms and zucchini (courgette), so I just like to serve this alongside some cooked long-grain rice, perfect for soaking up that amazing creamy sauce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can always add some additional vegetables like tender stem broccoli, green beans, asparagus, etc or serve alongside some of this Roasted Cauliflower Rice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other side options we like are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n