Description
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese. Infused with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, it’s baked to perfection for a comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Liquids and Others
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Turkey: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the turkey. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Spices: Stir in salt, black pepper, dried thyme, oregano, and paprika, mixing well to evenly coat the meat and vegetables with the spices.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Add cubed sweet potatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and begin softening the potatoes.
- Simmer with Liquids: Pour in chicken broth and drained diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine flavors and help potatoes cook through.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Move the turkey and sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface of the casserole.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to cook everything through.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh finish and serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef, if preferred.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during seasoning for slight heat.
