Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Printable)
Savory ground turkey and sweet potato casserole with vegetables, herbs, and melted cheese topping
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs lean ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cups chopped baby spinach
→ Dairy
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Liquids
09 - 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1 tsp salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until completely browned and no longer pink.
05 - Stir in red bell pepper, diced sweet potatoes, dried thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
06 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork-tender but not mushy.
07 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in chopped spinach and stir until just wilted from the residual heat.
08 - Spread the turkey and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
09 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
10 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
11 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make slicing easier.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of dinner that makes your entire house smell like someone who really knows what theyre doing in the kitchen
- The sweet potatoes become tender little pockets of sweetness while the turkey stays juicy and the cheese gets perfectly golden
02 -
- Cutting sweet potatoes into similar sized chunks is the difference between evenly cooked vegetables and some pieces staying crunchy while others turn to mush
- Letting the turkey brown properly without rushing creates fond on the bottom of the pan that adds incredible depth to the final dish
03 -
- Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre grated for better melting and a cleaner flavor
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels before cooking to prevent excess grease in the final dish