Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print Version)
Hearty turkey and sweet potato casserole with vegetables, herbs, and cheesy topping.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking up with a spatula for 5-6 minutes. Remove turkey from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and red bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes.
04 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
05 - Add spinach and cooked turkey to the skillet. Mix well and cook until spinach is just wilted.
06 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour chicken broth evenly over the mixture.
07 - Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
08 - Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
09 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender and cheese is golden brown.
10 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It hits that perfect spot between comfort food and something that actually makes you feel good afterward
- The leftovers taste even better the next day, which is basically meal prep magic
02 -
- Cutting sweet potatoes into small, even cubes is crucial because they need to finish cooking in the oven
- The chicken broth might seem like too little liquid, but the vegetables release moisture as they bake
03 -
- Use a box grater to shred your own cheese for better melting
- Let the turkey cool slightly before mixing with vegetables to prevent premature wilting