Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Print Version)
A comforting casserole with lean turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables baked with aromatic spices.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cups baby spinach
→ Pantry & Spices
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
15 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Toppings
16 - 1/2 cup shredded dairy-free cheese or cheddar cheese
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground turkey, breaking up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
05 - Stir in smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
06 - Add diced sweet potatoes to skillet. Pour in chicken broth and bring to simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes begin to soften.
07 - Stir in baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
09 - Sprinkle with shredded cheese if using.
10 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
11 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and top is golden.
12 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
- The sweet potatoes become tender and sweet while absorbing all those savory spices
- Its the kind of meal that tastes even better the next day, perfect for meal prep
02 -
- Dicing sweet potatoes evenly is crucial, or some pieces will be mushy while others stay crunchy
- That initial simmer in the broth is what makes the sweet potatoes tender in the oven without drying out
- Letting it rest for 5 minutes seems optional but really helps the flavors settle and makes serving easier
03 -
- The smoked paprika is what makes this special, so do not skip it even if you need to order it online
- If your sweet potatoes are particularly large, give them an extra few minutes in the skillet before baking