Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite weeknight meal: the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe. This savory, slightly sweet, and delightfully cheesy dish brings together ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and a medley of vibrant spices and vegetables. Everything comes together quickly and bakes into bubbling, golden deliciousness—perfect for busy days, family gatherings, or nutritious leftovers. If you want a one-pan wonder that’s both wholesome and irresistibly satisfying, look no further than this ultimate Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: every ingredient serves a purpose, adding flavor, color, or creamy texture. Even better, these are all pantry staples or common produce, making the dish easy to whip up without a special grocery run!
- Ground Turkey: Lean, mild, and packed with protein, ground turkey allows the spices and veggies to shine while keeping the dish light.
- Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness balances the savory turkey and spices, while also providing beautiful color and extra nutrients.
- Olive Oil: Helps the veggies sauté perfectly and infuses the dish with heart-healthy fats.
- Onion: Adds aromatic depth and a delicious, almost caramelized sweetness when sautéed.
- Garlic: Fresh or jarred minced garlic brings a big punch of flavor with minimal effort.
- Red Bell Pepper: Provides a hint of sweetness and a pop of color that makes the whole bake look inviting.
- Smoked Paprika: Gives smoky, bold undertones that elevate the entire bake.
- Ground Cumin: Offers earthy warmth and a hint of complexity that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes.
- Dried Thyme: Brings herby notes that tie all the flavors together.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing each and every ingredient in the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe.
- Shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese: Delivers a melty, bubbling topping that everyone loves—use your favorite or a mix!
- Fresh Parsley or Cilantro (optional): A bright, fresh finish that looks gorgeous when sprinkled just before serving.
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
Set the tone for success by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray to prevent sticking—this step ensures easy serving and cleanup later.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Turkey
Place a large skillet on the stove and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and sauté for three to four minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add your ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Sauté until it’s no longer pink and beginning to brown, about five to six minutes. If there’s any extra fat, go ahead and drain it for a lighter dish.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables and Seasonings
Now comes the flavor bomb! Stir in the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and those beautiful sweet potatoes. Sprinkle over the smoked paprika, cumin, dried thyme, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Give everything a good mix so the spices coat every bite. Let the mixture cook for an additional three to five minutes until the veggies are just starting to soften and the spices are toasty and aromatic.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Carefully transfer your savory turkey and veggie mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Cover with foil to keep everything moist, and bake for twenty-five minutes in your preheated oven, just until the sweet potatoes turn perfectly fork-tender.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish Baking
Remove the foil, scatter your shredded cheese generously over the top, and return the dish to the oven. Bake uncovered for another ten to fifteen minutes, or until the cheese bubbles and creates that irresistible golden crust. This final step takes your Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe straight into comfort food heaven!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
When your bake emerges all melty and gorgeous, finish with a shower of fresh parsley or cilantro for a bit of brightness. Serve hot and let everyone dig in while the cheese is still gooey!
How to Serve Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
Garnishes
A handful of chopped parsley or cilantro will add color, freshness, and just the right touch of herby brightness. For more flavor, try a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, a scoop of cool Greek yogurt, or even pickled onions if you’re feeling fancy! Little finishing touches truly elevate the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe.
Side Dishes
This dish is delightfully filling on its own but pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, sautéed green beans, or a bowl of herbed quinoa. For a cozy family meal, consider a rustic loaf of bread to soak up any cheesy, savory bits left on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving guests or want to shake things up, scoop the bake into individual ramekins for elegant personal portions. You can also use it as a hearty filling for stuffed bell peppers, or spoon over brown rice for a comforting grain bowl. The versatility of the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe means you can let your creativity run wild!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors continue to meld, making each reheated bite just as tasty—if not more so—than when freshly baked.
Freezing
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe freezes like a dream. Once cooled, portion servings into freezer-safe containers. Label and freeze for up to three months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave in one-minute bursts, stirring in between, until hot throughout. For a larger batch, cover and warm in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes. If reheating from frozen, allow the bake to thaw first for the best texture. A fresh sprinkle of cheese just before reheating in the oven will bring back the magic!
FAQs
Can I make the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the cheese for your favorite plant-based alternative or omit it altogether—the bake will still be flavorful and hearty thanks to all those veggies and spices.
Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?
Peeled sweet potatoes create a softer, smoother texture, but you can leave the skins on for extra fiber and a slightly earthier flavor. Just make sure to scrub them well before dicing.
Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?
Yes! Ground chicken provides a similar lean flavor, while ground beef gives the bake a heartier richness. Whichever you choose, the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe can easily adapt to your protein of choice.
What’s the best way to prep the sweet potatoes for even cooking?
Dice the sweet potatoes into small, even cubes—about half an inch. This size lets them cook through nicely in the oven without turning mushy or staying too firm.
Can I add other vegetables to this bake?
Definitely! Zucchini, spinach, or even corn work wonderfully. Just remember to chop any additional veggies to a similar size as the sweet potatoes so everything cooks evenly and harmoniously.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a reliable, crowd-pleasing dish that’s as nourishing as it is comforting, you simply have to try this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe. It’s fuss-free, family-friendly, and packed with flavor in every single bite. Grab your skillet and baking dish—you’ll want to make this again and again!
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A hearty and flavorful Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake that is easy to make and perfect for a comforting dinner. Ground turkey is paired with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and a blend of aromatic spices, all baked together with a generous topping of melted cheese.
Ingredients
Ground Turkey:
- 1 lb ground turkey
Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Vegetable Mix:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Ground Turkey: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add the Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, diced bell pepper, sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the veggies are lightly softened.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Ground Turkey, Sweet Potato, Baked Casserole, Easy Dinner Recipe
