Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
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
Protein
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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