Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a hearty, wholesome casserole combining tender roasted sweet potatoes, lean ground turkey, flavorful spices, and comforting basmati rice. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh parsley, this one-dish meal is perfect for a nutritious family dinner, offering a delicious balance of protein, vegetables, and grains.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
Turkey and Rice Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can vegetable broth (about 2 cups)
- 1¾ cups whole milk (or half & half)
- 1 cup basmati rice (or long grain white rice)
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley (or dried flakes)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the sweet potatoes.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks to ensure even roasting.
- Season Potatoes: Place the sweet potato cubes into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried rosemary. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Bake the seasoned sweet potatoes uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to achieve tender and fragrant cubes.
- Cook Ground Turkey: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground turkey until no longer pink.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced yellow onion to the browned turkey, sautéing for 3–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the casserole dish from oven after the initial bake. Add the turkey and onion mixture, vegetable broth, milk, and uncooked basmati rice to the dish. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Bake Casserole: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to start cooking.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 10–15 minutes after removing from the oven to set. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Sweet potatoes can be cubed into smaller pieces for faster cooking, but 1-inch chunks provide a good balance of tenderness and texture.
- Use lean ground turkey to keep the dish light and healthy; you can substitute with ground chicken if preferred.
- Vegetable broth can be replaced with chicken broth for a richer flavor.
- Whole milk adds creaminess, but half & half can be used for a richer texture or a dairy-free milk alternative for a lighter dish.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps the rice finish cooking and the dish to set properly.
- Fresh rosemary can be used instead of dried for a more fragrant aroma.
Keywords: ground turkey casserole, sweet potato bake, baked turkey and rice, healthy casserole, one-dish dinner
