Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight meal! This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is the perfect one-pan wonder, combining savory ground turkey, nutrient-packed sweet potatoes, and a delicious blend of spices into a hearty and satisfying casserole. It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a healthy dinner or meal prepping for the week. If you’re looking for a dish that is both comforting and guilt-free, you’ve found it.
This recipe is designed for busy home cooks who want to put a delicious and wholesome meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to use simple, fresh ingredients to create something truly special. The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs perfectly with the savory turkey and spices, creating a balanced and flavorful bite every single time.
Why This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor that your whole family will love. It’s incredibly versatile and fits seamlessly into various healthy lifestyles.
- Perfectly Balanced: This dish offers a great mix of lean protein from the turkey, complex carbohydrates from the sweet potatoes, and healthy fats, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
- Incredibly Easy: With simple steps and minimal cleanup, this one-pan recipe is perfect for a stress-free dinner. Just brown the meat, toss the ingredients, and let the oven do the rest.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: This bake holds up beautifully in the refrigerator, making it an ideal choice for your weekly meal prep. Cook once and enjoy healthy lunches or quick dinners all week long.
- Diet-Friendly: Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, this recipe can also be easily adapted for Paleo or Whole30 diets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients you can find at any grocery store. The combination is what makes it so special.
- Ground Turkey: We use lean ground turkey (93/7) for a healthy protein base.
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show! You’ll need about two large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational flavor of the dish.
- Bell Pepper: We love using a red bell pepper for a touch of sweetness and color, but any color will work.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables and turkey.
- Spices: A warm and savory blend of smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and dried oregano gives the bake its signature flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: A can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes adds moisture and a smoky depth. Don’t drain them!
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
- Fresh Parsley: For a fresh, vibrant garnish before serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is as easy as prep, sauté, and bake. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Then, add the diced sweet potatoes and the can of fire-roasted tomatoes (with their juice). Stir everything together until well combined.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish (if your skillet isn’t oven-safe). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the bake cool for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips for the Perfect Bake
Want to take your bake from great to absolutely amazing? Here are a few tips from our kitchen.
- Uniform Potato Size: Cut your sweet potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes. This ensures they cook evenly and you don’t end up with some pieces that are hard and others that are mushy.
- Don’t Skip the Browning: Browning the turkey and sautéing the aromatics is a crucial step for developing deep, rich flavors.
- Check for Tenderness: To check if the sweet potatoes are done, pierce one with a fork. If it goes in easily, the bake is ready.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is how easy it is to customize. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Add Cheese: If you’re not dairy-free, feel free to sprinkle some shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a cheesy, bubbly crust.
- Make it Spicy: Add a diced jalapeño with the onions or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices for a little extra heat.
- Veggie Boost: Feel free to add more vegetables! Zucchini, spinach, or black beans would all be delicious additions. For a similar recipe with zucchini, check out our Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet.
- Paleo/Whole30: This recipe is already very close! Just ensure your diced tomatoes have no added sugar to keep it fully compliant.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
This dish is a meal prepper’s dream. Here’s how to store it for later.
- To Store: Let the bake cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze the entire casserole or individual portions. Cover the baking dish tightly with both plastic wrap and foil, or store portions in freezer-safe containers. It will last for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. To reheat the entire casserole, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
What to Serve With Your Casserole
This bake is a fantastic all-in-one meal, but if you want to round it out with a side, here are a few suggestions:
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli.
- For a heartier meal, serve it alongside a comforting bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup.
- A simple side of warm cornbread, like our favorite Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars for a sweet treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, you can bake it completely and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This recipe is already very compliant! To ensure it is fully Whole30 and Paleo-friendly, just double-check that the can of diced tomatoes you use does not contain any added sugars or non-compliant ingredients.
The best way to check for doneness is to pierce a few pieces of sweet potato with a fork. If the fork slides in easily with little resistance, they are fully cooked and tender.
Yes, it’s a very healthy and balanced meal. It’s packed with lean protein from the turkey, complex carbohydrates and vitamins from the sweet potatoes and vegetables, and uses minimal oil. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
You can easily substitute the ground turkey with lean ground beef or ground chicken. For a vegetarian option, you could use a plant-based ground crumble or a cup of cooked lentils.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other dinner favorites. Try our comforting Old-Fashioned Goulash or these incredibly juicy Baked Pork Chops.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake as much as we do! It’s a healthy, flavorful, and easy recipe that’s perfect for any night of the week. If you make it, be sure to snap a picture and share it with us on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see your masterpiece!
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (The Ultimate Healthy Casserole)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the diced sweet potatoes and the undrained can of fire-roasted tomatoes. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip 2: This dish is great for meal prep! Store individual portions in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Tip 3: To make this Paleo or Whole30, ensure your diced tomatoes are compliant with no added sugar.
