Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake – A Wholesome & Easy One-Pan Meal

🎉 Introduction

Need a healthy, hearty dinner that comes together fast and satisfies the whole family? This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake checks every box. It’s packed with lean protein, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, and melty cheese — all baked in one pan for minimal cleanup.

Whether you’re meal prepping, feeding picky eaters, or just craving something nourishing and filling, this flavorful, veggie-loaded bake is a weeknight winner. Plus, it’s flexible, comforting, and naturally gluten-free!

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Cutting board and knife
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Grater (if shredding your own cheese)

🛒 Ingredients

🍠 Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese, shredded
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

🌿 Seasonings:

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cumin, ground
• Salt and pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Sauté the Turkey Mixture

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon.
4. Stir in red bell pepper, paprika, thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook 3–5 minutes more, until veggies soften slightly and turkey is browned.

Step 3: Combine and Transfer

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked turkey mixture with diced sweet potatoes.
2. Transfer to your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 4: Bake It!

• Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil, sprinkle cheese evenly on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–12 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden and sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve warm.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
• Total Time: ~55 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer:

• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating Tips:

• Microwave: 2–3 minutes per portion.
• Oven: Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.

🥄 Variations

• Make it Spicy: Add chili flakes or diced jalapeños.
• Low-Carb Swap: Use cauliflower instead of sweet potatoes.
• Add Greens: Stir in chopped spinach or kale before baking.
• Cheese Choices: Try pepper jack, goat cheese, or feta for a twist.
• Mexican Style: Add black beans, corn, and taco seasoning.
• Italian Flavor: Use Italian herbs and top with marinara before cheese.
• Dairy-Free Option: Omit cheese or use dairy-free shreds.
• Add Eggs for Breakfast: Crack 3–4 eggs on top before final 10 minutes of baking.
• Add Crunch: Sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips before serving.
• Vegan Version: Use lentils or vegan ground meat and vegan cheese.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use ground beef or chicken instead of turkey?
Yes! Any ground meat works well with these flavors.

2. Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?
No — just scrub them well if leaving the skin on.

3. Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance before baking.

4. How do I make it spicier?
Add chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce to the turkey mixture.

5. Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely — try zucchini, mushrooms, or kale.

6. Is this gluten-free?
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your cheese.

7. Can I use frozen sweet potatoes?
Yes, just thaw first and drain excess moisture.

8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use a larger pan or two baking dishes.

9. What’s the best cheese to use?
Mozzarella for mildness, cheddar for sharpness, or a mix for balance.

10. Can I serve this for breakfast?
Yes — it’s great with eggs or avocado on the side.

🏁 Conclusion

This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is your new go-to for wholesome, cozy, and crowd-pleasing dinners. It’s a complete meal in one dish — protein-packed, veggie-rich, cheesy, and full of warm spices. Whether you’re batch cooking or feeding a hungry crew, it never disappoints.

Make it tonight and watch everyone go back for seconds!

Adam

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake – A Wholesome & Easy One-Pan Meal

Need a healthy, hearty dinner that comes together fast and satisfies the whole family? This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake checks every box. It’s packed with lean protein, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, and melty cheese — all baked in one pan for minimal cleanup. Whether you’re meal prepping, feeding picky eaters, or just craving something nourishing and filling, this flavorful, veggie-loaded bake is a weeknight winner. Plus, it’s flexible, comforting, and naturally gluten-free!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍠 Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese shredded
• Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped (for garnish)

🌿 Seasonings:

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cumin ground
• Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Cutting board and knife
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Grater (if shredding your own cheese)

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Sauté the Turkey Mixture

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon.
4. Stir in red bell pepper, paprika, thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook 3–5 minutes more, until veggies soften slightly and turkey is browned.

Step 3: Combine and Transfer

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked turkey mixture with diced sweet potatoes.
2. Transfer to your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 4: Bake It!

1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese evenly on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–12 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden and sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve warm.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer:

Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating Tips:

Microwave: 2–3 minutes per portion.

Oven: Reheat covered at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.

🥄 Variations
Make it Spicy: Add chili flakes or diced jalapeños.

Low-Carb Swap: Use cauliflower instead of sweet potatoes.

Add Greens: Stir in chopped spinach or kale before baking.

Cheese Choices: Try pepper jack, goat cheese, or feta for a twist.

Mexican Style: Add black beans, corn, and taco seasoning.

Italian Flavor: Use Italian herbs and top with marinara before cheese.

Dairy-Free Option: Omit cheese or use dairy-free shreds.

Add Eggs for Breakfast: Crack 3–4 eggs on top before final 10 minutes of baking.

Add Crunch: Sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips before serving.

Vegan Version: Use lentils or vegan ground meat and vegan cheese.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use ground beef or chicken instead of turkey?
Yes! Any ground meat works well with these flavors.

2. Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?
No — just scrub them well if leaving the skin on.

3. Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance before baking.

4. How do I make it spicier?
Add chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce to the turkey mixture.

5. Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely — try zucchini, mushrooms, or kale.

6. Is this gluten-free?
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your cheese.

7. Can I use frozen sweet potatoes?
Yes, just thaw first and drain excess moisture.

8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Use a larger pan or two baking dishes.

9. What’s the best cheese to use?
Mozzarella for mildness, cheddar for sharpness, or a mix for balance.

10. Can I serve this for breakfast?
Yes — it’s great with eggs or avocado on the side.

🏁 Conclusion
This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is your new go-to for wholesome, cozy, and crowd-pleasing dinners. It’s a complete meal in one dish — protein-packed, veggie-rich, cheesy, and full of warm spices. Whether you’re batch cooking or feeding a hungry crew, it never disappoints.

Make it tonight and watch everyone go back for seconds!