Irresistible Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Bake Recipe
This Irresistible Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Bake is a hearty, nutritious, and flavorful one-dish meal. Combining tender roasted sweet potatoes, spiced ground turkey, sautéed onions and garlic, fresh spinach, and melted cheddar cheese, this bake is perfect for a comforting dinner that’s easy to prepare and packed with balanced nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Roast sweet potatoes: Toss the diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until well coated. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.
- Sauté aromatics: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a skillet over medium heat with a bit of olive oil. Add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Cook ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Season with paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook the turkey, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Layer the bake: In your prepared baking dish, start by layering half of the roasted sweet potatoes. Then add the cooked ground turkey mixture followed by the fresh spinach leaves, allowing the heat to slightly wilt them. Top with the remaining sweet potatoes.
- Add cheese and bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the final layer of sweet potatoes. Bake the assembled dish in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with a dairy-free cheese to make this recipe lactose-free.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the turkey while cooking.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this meal gluten-free, ensure all spices and ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Keywords: sweet potato bake, ground turkey casserole, healthy dinner, one dish meal, low fat recipe, American cuisine
