Description
This Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Bake is a hearty, nutritious one-dish meal featuring tender sweet potatoes, savory ground turkey, and vibrant vegetables, all baked under a layer of melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines healthy ingredients and rich flavors in a simple, oven-baked casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Meat
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 cup baby spinach
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: In a large pot, add the diced sweet potatoes and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Bell Pepper: Stir in minced garlic and chopped bell pepper, cooking for 2-3 minutes more until peppers soften slightly.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook while breaking it apart with a spoon until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the Mixture: Add dried thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper to the turkey mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Wilt Spinach: Add baby spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Combine Sweet Potatoes: Gently stir in the cooked sweet potatoes, coating them well with the turkey and vegetable mixture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Add Broth and Cheese: Pour chicken broth evenly over the casserole, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes when seasoning.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
- Sweet potatoes can be roasted instead of boiled for a deeper flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
