Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a hearty and healthy dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Combining lean turkey with sweet potatoes and flavorful spices, it delivers comforting warmth with a cheesy finish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until the spices are fragrant and vegetables slightly soften.
4. Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
5. Step 5: Remove the foil. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
6. Step 6: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, then serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeño when cooking the vegetables.
• Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
• Try adding chopped spinach or kale to the skillet for extra greens and nutrition.
• If you want a creamier texture, stir in a few tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt before baking.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions until hot.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the turkey and vegetable mixture up to a day in advance and refrigerate it. When ready, assemble in the baking dish and bake as instructed.

What can I use instead of sweet potatoes?

You can substitute regular potatoes, butternut squash, or even carrots for sweet potatoes, adjusting the baking time as needed for tenderness.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 50 reviews

This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a wholesome and flavorful one-dish meal featuring lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and aromatic spices, all baked to perfection with a cheesy topping. It’s perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner that’s satisfying and easy to prepare.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 1 lb ground turkey

Vegetables

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings & Oils

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Dairy

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

Garnish

• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of olive oil or nonstick spray to ensure the bake doesn’t stick.
2. Cook the Ground Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if there’s too much liquid.
3. Add the Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, so the spices become fragrant and the vegetables start to soften.
4. Assemble and Bake: Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Cover it with foil to lock in moisture and bake for 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
5. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
6. Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your nutritious sweet potato turkey bake!

Notes

• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper when seasoning.
• Feel free to substitute ground chicken or lean beef for ground turkey if preferred.
• You can prepare this dish a day ahead; simply reheat in the oven until warmed through.
• For a lower-fat option, use part-skim mozzarella or reduce the cheese quantity.
• This recipe is easily customizable with other vegetables like zucchini or spinach.

Keywords: ground turkey sweet potato bake, healthy turkey bake, baked sweet potatoes with meat, easy weeknight dinner, cheesy turkey casserole