Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a hearty, comforting casserole combining roasted sweet potatoes, flavorful ground turkey, and melted cheddar cheese. Enhanced with aromatic spices, bell peppers, and optional spinach, it’s perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or meal prep. Easy to customize and freezer-friendly, this dish brings warmth and satisfying flavors to the table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Protein
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup mixed bell peppers, diced (red and yellow)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley (or dried flakes)
Liquids & Broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can vegetable broth (about 2 cups)
- 1¾ cups whole milk (or half & half)
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (blend of cheddar and mozzarella optional for melty topping)
Pantry & Spices
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Others
- 1 cup basmati rice (or long grain white rice)
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish for baking.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Toss them in olive oil, half the salt and pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary. Spread them evenly in the casserole dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes until tender and slightly crispy on edges.
- Cook Ground Turkey: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté until softened, about 3–5 minutes. Add garlic, ground turkey, paprika, cumin, Italian seasoning, and remaining salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until turkey is browned and cooked through.
- Combine Ingredients in Casserole: Remove the casserole dish with sweet potatoes from the oven. Add the cooked ground turkey and onion mixture, diced bell peppers, optional spinach, vegetable broth, milk, and uncooked basmati rice. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Return the casserole dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes to allow the rice to cook and absorb liquids.
- Add Cheese Topping: Remove the casserole again; sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and is golden brown.
- Rest & Serve: Let the dish rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and rice to finish cooking. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- For a low-carb variation, substitute sweet potatoes with roasted cauliflower or butternut squash.
- Add black or white beans for extra protein and fiber.
- Make it spicy by adding diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Alternate proteins like shredded rotisserie chicken, ground beef, or lentils can be used.
- For a breakfast twist, crack eggs on top before the final bake step.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Keywords: ground turkey casserole, sweet potato bake, healthy dinner, easy casserole, baked ground turkey, nutritious meal, meal prep recipe
