Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print version)

Hearty turkey and sweet potato casserole with vegetables, herbs, and melted cheese for an easy family dinner.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 chopped baby spinach

→ 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 Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly 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 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 fully browned and no longer pink.
05 - Mix in red bell pepper, sweet potatoes, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and 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 still hold their shape.
07 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in chopped spinach and stir until just wilted from the residual heat.
08 - Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese uniformly across 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 make serving easier.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet potatoes create this incredible natural sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory turkey
  • Everything cooks in one pan on the stove first, so the flavors meld together before it even hits the oven
  • It reheats beautifully for lunch the next day, actually tasting even better
02 -
  • Cutting sweet potatoes into uneven sizes is the biggest mistake I see, so take the extra time to make them uniform
  • The pan should still have some liquid when you transfer it to the baking dish, as the sweet potatoes will continue absorbing moisture
  • Letting it rest for 5 minutes after baking is not optional, it makes serving so much easier
03 -
  • If you like heat, add red pepper flakes with the other spices and watch out it sneaks up on you
  • A mix of sharp cheddar with the mozzarella creates this incredible depth of flavor

Return