Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Printable)

Hearty casserole with lean turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables topped with melted cheeses.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cups baby spinach, chopped

→ Dairy

07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Liquids

09 - 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1 tsp salt, or to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
04 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5–6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
05 - Stir in red bell pepper, sweet potatoes, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8–10 minutes until sweet potatoes are just tender.
07 - Remove from heat and fold in chopped spinach until wilted.
08 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
09 - Bake for 18–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden and the casserole is bubbling.
10 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet potatoes become tender and naturally sweet, creating the perfect balance with the savory turkey and herbs
  • Everything cooks in one skillet first, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
02 -
  • Cutting your sweet potatoes too large means they wont cook through in the skillet phase, so keep those cubes relatively uniform
  • The cheese will brown beautifully, but keep an eye on it during the last few minutes if your oven runs hot
03 -
  • If your sweet potatoes seem especially firm, add another tablespoon or two of broth and extend the simmer time
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle warmth that balances the sweet potatoes beautifully

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