Description

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a delicious and nutritious one-dish meal combining lean ground turkey with tender sweet potatoes, vibrant vegetables, and warm spices. Topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley, this hearty bake is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s both flavorful and wholesome.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 lb ground turkey
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Spices and Seasonings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish.
Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until the meat is fully browned and cooked through.
Season Meat: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat all the turkey with the spices for full flavor.
Add Bell Pepper: Add the chopped red bell pepper to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the peppers soften slightly.
Boil Sweet Potatoes: Meanwhile, boil the diced sweet potatoes in a separate pot until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and set aside.
Assemble Layers: Remove the skillet from heat. In a baking dish, spread the cooked sweet potatoes evenly as the base layer.
Add Turkey Mixture: Pour the ground turkey and pepper mixture on top of the sweet potato layer, spreading it out evenly.
Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the turkey mixture to create a delicious cheesy crust when baked.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Garnish: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, adding a fresh, colorful touch.
Serve: Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving, allowing flavors to meld and making it easier to portion.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
For a dairy-free option, omit cheese or use vegan cheese alternatives.
Adjust chili powder and paprika amounts to control spice level.
Adding a splash of chicken broth when cooking turkey can keep it moist.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking, Sautéing, Boiling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 340
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: ground turkey bake, sweet potato casserole, healthy turkey recipes, easy baked dishes, low fat dinner, weeknight meals