Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Printable Version)
Hearty bake with lean turkey, sweet potatoes, vegetables and golden cheese topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
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
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking up with a spatula, about 5-6 minutes. Remove turkey from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and red bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes to begin softening the potatoes.
05 - Add spinach and cooked turkey back to the skillet. Mix well and cook until spinach is just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour chicken broth evenly over the top. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly across the surface.
07 - Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes to allow sweet potatoes to steam and tenderize.
08 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
09 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven, meaning minimal cleanup
- The sweet potatoes become tender and sweet while the turkey stays juicy
- Its the kind of meal that tastes even better as leftovers the next day
02 -
- Cut your sweet potatoes into evenly sized cubes so they all cook at the same rate
- The foil step is non-negotiable, it creates steam that tenderizes the potatoes
- Letting it rest for those 5 minutes makes a huge difference in how well it holds together when served
03 -
- Use pre-diced sweet potatoes from the store to save time without sacrificing quality
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated for better melting and flavor