2lbsground chickenground pork, ground turkey, or lean ground beef would be great, too
1cupsweet onionfinely chopped
1 1/2cupscarrotsvery thinly sliced
1 1/2cupsfresh asparaguscut into 1 inch pieces (hard bottom stem removed)
2cupsgrated green cabbageI used bagged angel hair slaw
1/2cupslivered almonds
8ozlow-fat aged white cheddarshredded fresh from the block
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Rinse the drained navy beans with water and dump into a blender.
Add half of the milk, coriander, turmeric, and blend until smooth.
Add the rest of the milk and the broth and blend until mixed.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat.
Add ground chicken and onion and cook until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with olive oil spray and spread the cooked meat on the bottom of the dish.
Reserve 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and add all other ingredients to the dish, including the milk mixture. Stir to mix well and top with remaining cheese.
Bake 40-45 minutes until lightly browned on top.
Notes
Add a touch of Dijon mustard. For a subtle tang, blend a small amount of Dijon mustard with the beans, milk, and spices. It will complement the creaminess and add a layer of complexity.
Let the casserole rest. After baking, let the dish rest for a few minutes. This helps the creamy sauce set and makes it easier to serve. I like it even better on the second day!
Make ahead. You can prepare and assemble the baking dish 1 to 2 days in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time when you're ready.