Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Casserole with Cheddar Recipe
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a wholesome and comforting casserole featuring tender baked sweet potatoes, lean ground turkey, aromatic herbs, and creamy basmati rice, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a nutritious family dinner, this dish balances savory flavors and hints of rosemary for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Mixture
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (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 Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (white onion also works)
Additional Ingredients
- 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)
- 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 baking the sweet potatoes and casserole.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks for even cooking.
- Season and Arrange Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potato cubes in a 9×13″ casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed rosemary. Toss to coat all pieces evenly.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Bake the sweet potatoes uncovered for 30 minutes to soften and develop flavor.
- Brown Ground Turkey: While the sweet potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the ground turkey until no longer pink.
- Sauté Onions: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the turkey and sauté for 3–5 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Combine Ingredients: After 30 minutes, remove the casserole dish from the oven. Add the cooked turkey and onion mixture, vegetable broth, whole milk, and uncooked basmati rice. Stir well to combine.
- Bake Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb liquids and cook.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to thicken. Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy your meal!
Notes
- For a creamier texture, use half & half instead of whole milk.
- White onion can substitute yellow onion if preferred.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even baking.
- You can substitute basmati rice with long grain white rice if desired.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control salt content if needed.
Keywords: ground turkey, sweet potato, casserole, baked dish, healthy dinner, rosemary, cheddar cheese, basmati rice
