Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Printable)
Hearty casserole with lean turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables baked with savory herbs and melted cheese.
# 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
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
05 - Stir in red bell pepper, sweet potatoes, dried thyme, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
06 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork-tender but not mushy.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in chopped spinach until wilted from the residual heat.
08 - Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese uniformly over the top.
09 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
10 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to set slightly.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven meaning less cleanup
- The sweet potatoes become tender without pre boiling them first
- This reheats beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
- The sweet potato size matters more than you think, cut them too big and they will still be crunchy when the turkey is overcooked
- Letting the turkey develop browned bits on the bottom of the pan adds depth to the final flavor
03 -
- Prep all your vegetables before starting because once the cooking begins it moves quickly
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for better melting