Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print version)

Hearty turkey and sweet potato casserole with vegetables and cheesy topping

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1.5 lbs)
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Dairy & Toppings

07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Liquids & Base

09 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Pantry & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1 tsp salt

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking up with a spatula, about 5-6 minutes. Remove turkey from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, dried thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes to slightly soften the potatoes and meld the spices.
05 - Add chopped spinach and cooked turkey back to the skillet. Mix well and cook until spinach is just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Pour chicken broth evenly over the entire mixture.
07 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
08 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes to allow sweet potatoes to cook through.
09 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
10 - Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to set and make serving easier.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This casserole hits the table in just over an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The sweet potatoes become tender and creamy while holding their shape perfectly
  • You get lean protein and three different vegetables in each satisfying bite
02 -
  • Cutting your sweet potatoes into uniform half inch pieces ensures they all finish cooking at the same time
  • The foil step is crucial because removing it too early will leave the sweet potatoes crunchy
03 -
  • Use a box grater to shred your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded cheese for better melting
  • Let the ground turkey rest in the pan for a minute before breaking it up to get nice browned bits

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