Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Printable)
A comforting casserole layered with seasoned turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables under a golden cheesy crust.
# What You Need:
→ Protein & Dairy
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables
04 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1.5 lb)
05 - 1 medium onion, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
→ Pantry & Seasonings
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Liquids
15 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, and cumin. Transfer turkey to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté diced onion and red bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
05 - Return browned turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in chicken broth and mix well. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the liquid slightly thickens and everything is heated through.
06 - Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Spread evenly. Top evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
07 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
08 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
09 - Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It is the kind of meal that prep once and then you can forget about it while the oven does all the work
- The sweet potatoes get impossibly creamy while holding their shape creating this perfect texture contrast
02 -
- Cutting the sweet potatoes into evenly sized 1/2-inch pieces is the difference between tender and undercooked in the same bite
- The foil step is non-negotiable if you want the sweet potatoes to fully cook before the cheese burns
03 -
- Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top during the last 5 minutes for those irresistible crispy cheese corners
- If the casserole seems too thick after simmering add another splash of broth before baking