Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print Version)

Hearty casserole combining seasoned turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables baked to tender perfection.

# Recipe Ingredients:

→ 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 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
11 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
12 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Liquid

13 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Optional Toppings

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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with smoked paprika, thyme, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Stir in the diced bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add the 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 the sweet potatoes in an even layer on the bottom.
07 - Spoon the turkey and vegetable mixture evenly over the sweet potatoes. Pour the chicken broth evenly over the top.
08 - Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
09 - Remove foil, sprinkle with cheddar cheese if using, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet potatoes get impossibly tender while absorbing all those savory spices from the turkey mixture below
  • It is one of those rare meals that tastes even better as leftovers, making tomorrow lunch something to actually look forward to
  • The whole house fills with this warm, comforting aroma that makes everyone gravitate toward the kitchen
02 -
  • Cutting sweet potatoes into consistently sized pieces is the difference between tender bites and crunchy surprises
  • The foil step is non-negotiable. It traps steam that helps the sweet potatoes cook through before the top dries out.
  • Letting it rest for 5 minutes before serving allows the flavors to settle and makes serving much easier.
03 -
  • Use a large skillet with high sides so the turkey mixture does not spill when you add the spinach
  • Let the turkey get a little browned in spots. Those crispy bits add incredible flavor throughout the dish.

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