Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print)
Hearty casserole with lean turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables, topped with melted cheese for an easy gluten-free dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 ½ 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 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Liquids
09 - ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of 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 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5–6 minutes until fully 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 - Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top in an even layer.
09 - Bake for 18–20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, golden brown, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
10 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make serving easier.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet potatoes get just tender enough to melt in your mouth while holding their shape
- Everything cooks in one pan before baking so you're not drowning in dishes
- The cheese topping forms this gorgeous golden crust that makes the whole house smell incredible
02 -
- Don't skip the step of cooking the sweet potatoes on the stove first, they won't cook through if you put them raw into the oven
- The spinach might look like too much when you add it, but it wilts down dramatically so trust the recipe
03 -
- Cut your sweet potatoes to the same size so they cook evenly, nothing worse than some pieces being mushy while others are still crunchy
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated, the texture and flavor are noticeably better