Description
Hearty ground turkey sweet potato bake brings comfort and nutrition to your dinner table. Packed with lean protein and wholesome vegetables, this simple casserole delivers satisfying flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground turkey
Vegetables:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
Spices and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains and the meat is fully cooked.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing with the turkey until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate dried herbs, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Layer the diced sweet potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even base for the turkey mixture.
- Spread the seasoned ground turkey and onion mixture uniformly over the sweet potato layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Pour tomato sauce or diced tomatoes across the top, allowing the liquid to seep between the layers.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the entire casserole, creating a golden melting top layer.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Swap ground turkey for plant-based crumbles to create a vegetarian version that’s equally delicious and protein-packed.
- Use sweet potatoes with consistent sizing to ensure even cooking and a perfectly uniform texture throughout the bake.
- Consider adding extra spices like smoked paprika or cumin to boost flavor complexity and create a more dynamic taste profile.
- Prep vegetables in advance and store in the refrigerator to streamline meal preparation and save time during busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg