Description
This Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet is a hearty, nutritious, and easy-to-make one-pan meal that combines lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes and colorful vegetables. Cooked on the stovetop and finished in the oven with melted mozzarella cheese, it’s perfect for a comforting dinner loaded with protein and vibrant flavors. The recipe is quick, taking just 27 minutes from start to finish, and serves four people.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound free-range extra-lean ground turkey (or grass-fed ground beef)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ cup onions, diced
- ½ cup yellow pepper, diced
- 1½ cups sweet potato, diced
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- A pinch of red chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (omit for Whole30 or Paleo)
- Fresh parsley, for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: In a cast iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the turkey.
- Cook Turkey: Add 1 pound of extra-lean ground turkey and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic to the hot skillet. Break the turkey apart as it cooks and sauté for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in ½ cup diced onions and ½ cup diced yellow pepper. Continue cooking until the onions become soft and translucent, enhancing the flavors.
- Add Sweet Potatoes: Mix in 1½ cups diced sweet potatoes along with a pinch of red chili flakes (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cover the skillet and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, approximately 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Preheat Oven: While the sweet potatoes cook, preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC) to melt the cheese.
- Add Cheese: Once the sweet potatoes are tender, evenly sprinkle ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the skillet mixture. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake just until the cheese melts and bubbles, about 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your cheesy, flavorful turkey and sweet potato skillet.
Notes
- For a Whole30 or Paleo-friendly version, omit the mozzarella cheese.
- If you prefer, substitute ground turkey with grass-fed ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- You can adjust the red chili flakes amount to make the dish more or less spicy according to your taste.
- Use a cast iron skillet or an oven-safe skillet for cooking and finishing in the oven.
- Make sure to dice the sweet potatoes evenly for consistent cooking.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a nice vibrant color and fresh taste but can be omitted.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
