Description
This Healthy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is a nutritious and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for a wholesome dinner or meal prep. Lean ground turkey is combined with nutrient-rich sweet potatoes and a medley of vegetables, seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, then baked to perfection with a optional cheesy topping. It’s a comforting, gluten-free main course that’s easy to prepare and packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings and Garnish
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 6–8 minutes. Season the meat with dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine evenly.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, chopped red bell pepper, and zucchini. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to slightly soften the vegetables and meld the flavors together.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake Until Tender: Bake covered for 20–25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the foil carefully.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese evenly over the top if using. Return the dish uncovered to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy warm as a satisfying and healthy meal.
Notes
- This bake is great for meal prepping—store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can substitute zucchini with fresh spinach or kale for a different vegetable twist.
- For extra protein and fiber, feel free to add black beans when mixing in the sweet potatoes and other vegetables.
- Use part-skim cheese or omit cheese to reduce fat content if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
