Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print)

Hearty turkey and sweet potato casserole with vegetables, baked to perfection for an easy nutritious dinner.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Protein

06 - 1 lb ground turkey, lean

→ Pantry & Seasonings

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Liquid

13 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Optional Toppings

14 - 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F for baking.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with smoked paprika, dried thyme, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Stir in diced red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, toss diced sweet potatoes with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
06 - Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread sweet potatoes in an even layer on the bottom. Spoon turkey and vegetable mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes. Pour chicken broth evenly over the top.
07 - Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and sprinkle with cheddar cheese if using. Bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley and serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan while the oven does the heavy lifting
  • The sweet potatoes become impossibly tender while absorbing all those spiced flavors
  • It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • The sweet potatoes need to be cut into small, even pieces or theyll still be crunchy when the turkey is dry
  • Low sodium broth is crucial because the spices and cheese already bring plenty of salt
  • Letting it rest seems unnecessary but it makes the difference between a neat slice and a sloppy mess
03 -
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper or dash of Worcestershire sauce in the turkey mixture adds depth without being obvious
  • Line your baking dish with foil for easier cleanup, especially important when cheese is involved

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