If you’re searching for a dish that manages to be healthy, hearty, and crowd-pleasing—all without hours spent in the kitchen—the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake absolutely hits the spot. It’s a beautiful medley of lean ground turkey, oven-roasted sweet potatoes, colorful peppers, and gooey melted cheese (if you wish), all bound together with warming spices. Every forkful bursts with flavor and color, and thanks to the balance of protein and vegetables, it’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or trying to impress at the family dinner table, this dish is guaranteed to become a regular in your rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake are wonderfully straightforward, yet each one has a starring role—offering depth, richness, and just the right pop of color. Gathering these staples sets you up for an irresistibly satisfying, one-pan meal.
- Ground Turkey: Choose lean ground turkey for a protein boost without excess fat; it brings a savory foundation to the bake.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté and roast, it prevents sticking and adds a silky, subtle richness.
- Yellow Onion: Diced for sweetness, onion builds flavor as the base of the sauté.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses everything with fragrant depth—don’t skimp!
- Red Bell Pepper: This pepper delivers vivid color and natural sweetness.
- Green Bell Pepper: Slightly tangier, it balances the flavors and adds a fresh crunch.
- Sweet Potatoes: The heart of the dish; their tender cubes add bursts of warmth and creamy texture.
- Smoked Paprika: This spice lends a subtle smokiness that makes each bite pop.
- Ground Cumin: Cumin rounds out the spices, adding earthy and aromatic undertones.
- Dried Oregano: Just a touch brightens up the whole dish with herbal notes.
- Salt: A little goes a long way to bring out all the lovely flavors.
- Black Pepper: Gives a gentle heat and works in harmony with the other spices.
- Chicken Broth: Keeps everything moist as it bakes, and draws out the savoriness.
- Shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese (optional): Melts into bubbly, gooey perfection—just what you want in a comforting bake.
- Fresh Parsley: A bright and fresh finish that livens up every serving.
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake
Step 1: Brown the Ground Turkey
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Crumble in the ground turkey and cook until it’s completely browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure to break up any large clumps with your spatula—this step gives every bite that unmistakable turkey flavor. Once browned, transfer the turkey to a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same skillet (don’t clean it—you want all those tasty browned bits!), add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in the diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and sweet. Add the minced garlic next, cooking for about 1 minute more, just until its aroma fills your kitchen.
Step 3: Add the Veggies and Potatoes
Now stir in the diced red and green bell peppers along with the peeled, cubed sweet potatoes. Let everything cook together for another 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every now and then. Juices will begin to mingle, and the veggies will just start to soften—the perfect stage for melding all the flavors.
Step 4: Spice and Simmer
Return the cooked turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coverage. Pour in the chicken broth, then give the whole mixture a confident stir. The broth helps release all the browned flavors from the skillet, promising a richer result.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out in an even layer. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes—the steam helps soften those sweet potatoes to fork-tender perfection.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Finish Baking
If you’re adding cheese (which I highly recommend for a crave-worthy finish), remove the foil and sprinkle the mozzarella or cheddar evenly over the top. Slide the dish back into the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes. The cheese will turn irresistibly melty and golden, and the sweet potatoes should be perfectly done.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
As a finishing touch, scatter chopped fresh parsley over your Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake. It’s a simple detail that brightens and beautifies the final dish. Serve it straight from the baking dish and watch everyone dive in!
How to Serve Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving transforms this bake from cozy to company-worthy. If you want a colorful twist, use a mix of parsley and thinly sliced green onions, or even a little extra shredded cheese for that “wow” factor. A pinch of red pepper flakes is great for those who like a bit of heat.
Side Dishes
While Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a complete meal on its own, pairing it with a crisp garden salad or simple steamed green beans creates a vivid and satisfying spread. A fresh cucumber or tomato salad offers a juicy, palate-cleansing contrast that works beautifully with the bake’s warm flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Portion the bake into individual ramekins for a dinner party, or spoon it onto toasted bread slices as a hearty bruschetta-style appetizer. For a family-style approach, serve it right from the oven in a rustic casserole dish—let everyone scoop their own and enjoy those crispy, cheesy edges!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake store beautifully and taste even better the next day as the flavors mingle. Simply cool any extras to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing
If you’d like to save some for later, let the bake cool down completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers or tightly wrapped baking dishes. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for a quick meal, you’ll have a homemade delight ready to go!
Reheating
To reheat, simply transfer the desired portion to an oven-safe dish and warm in a 350°F oven until hot, about 20 minutes. You can also microwave single servings for quick weeknight lunches—just cover loosely to prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works just as well in this recipe and keeps the dish tender and light. Feel free to make the swap if that’s what you have on hand.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Just skip the shredded cheese or use your favorite dairy-free cheese alternative. The bake is still packed with flavor and comes out perfectly creamy thanks to all those luscious veggies.
Can I prep Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake ahead of time?
You sure can! Assemble everything up to the point where you’d normally bake it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, just pop it in the oven as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.
What toppings go well with this bake?
Besides parsley, toppings like sliced green onions, a dash of hot sauce, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt add fun flavor and color. Get creative with your garnishes for a new spin every time!
Is Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake gluten-free?
Yes! The original recipe contains no gluten ingredients, making it a perfect main dish for anyone following a gluten-free diet. Just double-check your chicken broth and cheese if you are extra sensitive.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so deeply satisfying about sharing a tray of Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake with family or friends—it’s a dish that feels like home while welcoming fresh flavors to the table. Give it a try, and get ready for it to become a new comfort food favorite in your kitchen!
Print
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a delicious and nutritious one-dish meal that is perfect for a cozy dinner. Lean ground turkey is combined with colorful bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and a blend of savory spices, all baked to perfection. Easy to make and full of flavor, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Ground Turkey Mixture:
1 lb ground turkey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion (diced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 red bell pepper (diced), 1 green bell pepper (diced), 2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed),
Seasonings:
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper,
Additional:
1/4 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional), fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Turkey: In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté onion, garlic, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes until tender.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the turkey to the skillet, add seasonings, chicken broth, and mix well.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, cover, and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover, add cheese if desired, and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes or jalapeños.
- This dish stores well and is excellent for meal prep.
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