This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is the perfect hearty and flavorful weeknight dinner. It combines protein-rich ground turkey with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, creating a comforting and satisfying meal. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a healthy dinner or simply want something easy to make, this dish delivers both flavor and nutrition. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to prepare and offers minimal cleanup!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I absolutely love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between healthy ingredients and satisfying flavors. The combination of ground turkey and sweet potatoes creates a filling dish that’s high in protein and fiber, while the addition of colorful vegetables adds a nice crunch and sweetness. It’s also versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own or served alongside a fresh salad. Plus, it’s quick to prepare, and I always appreciate a meal that can be baked in the oven while I can focus on other things.
Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
1 onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper (any color), diced (about 1 cup)
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Olive oil, for cooking
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil for easy cleanup.
Cook the Ground Turkey: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the cooked turkey from the skillet and set it aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet (less mess!), add a little more olive oil if needed. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Stir occasionally.
Add More Flavor: Next, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the skillet with the sweet potatoes. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Combine Everything: Now, return the cooked ground turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Combine everything evenly.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in a single layer. Top with your favorite shredded cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
Golden Brown Cheese: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
Serve and Enjoy! Let the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful meal on its own or with a side salad.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Serving Size: 6-8 servings
Variations
Spice it up: If I want to add a little more heat, I often sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño along with the bell pepper.
Use different vegetables: I’ve swapped the bell pepper for zucchini or added spinach for an extra boost of greens.
Cheese options: Sometimes, I use a combination of cheddar and mozzarella, but other cheese like Monterey Jack or a sharp parmesan can be great alternatives for different flavors.
Storage/Reheating
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake stores well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I love reheating it in the microwave or in the oven for a few minutes to keep the cheese melted and bubbly. If reheating in the oven, cover the dish with foil to prevent the cheese from drying out, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
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FAQs
How can I make this recipe ahead of time?
I can easily prep this dish a day ahead. I simply cook the turkey and vegetables, assemble the bake in the dish, and refrigerate it covered. The next day, I just pop it in the oven to bake when I’m ready to eat.
Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Yes, ground chicken can be substituted in this recipe. It will still provide the lean protein and work well with the other ingredients, although it might have a slightly different flavor.
What other vegetables can I add?
I love adding additional veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or carrots. These would go great in this bake and complement the sweetness of the potatoes nicely.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! I can simply skip the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative to make this a dairy-free dish.
Can I freeze this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake?
Yes! If I want to freeze this, I’ll let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, I just thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake it until heated through.
Conclusion
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is one of my go-to recipes when I want a healthy, filling meal that doesn’t take much time to prepare. The savory turkey, sweet potatoes, and melted cheese make it an irresistible dinner, and I love that it’s a complete meal in one dish. Whether I’m cooking for the family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe never disappoints!
📖 Recipe:
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a nutritious and satisfying dinner option that combines the lean protein of ground turkey with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan meal is easy to prepare, delicious, and offers plenty of flavors from fresh vegetables, herbs, and melted cheese. Whether you’re meal prepping or cooking for the family, this healthy dish will keep everyone full and happy.
Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
1 onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper (any color), diced (about 1 cup)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
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In the same skillet, add olive oil if needed. Sauté the diced sweet potatoes for 5-7 minutes until softened.
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Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking for 5 more minutes until tender-crisp.
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Return the cooked turkey to the skillet and stir in the drained diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
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Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
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Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Spice it up by adding red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño for extra heat.
Swap the bell pepper for zucchini or add spinach for more vegetables.
Use dairy-free cheese or skip it for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Healthy, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-8 servings
