Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

The Ultimate Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe for Families

Vibrant ground turkey sweet potato bake crafts ordinary weeknight dinners into culinary adventures.

Lean proteins dance with earthy root vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of wholesome nutrition and bold flavors.

Fragrant herbs weave through each layer, elevating this one-pan wonder beyond typical meal expectations.

Comfort meets sophistication in this simple yet elegant dish that balances hearty satisfaction with clean, fresh ingredients.

Home cooks searching for quick and nourishing meals will appreciate the minimal preparation required.

Nutritious and delicious, this recipe promises to become a trusted staple in your meal rotation.

Savory Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake: A Comfort Meal

  • Savor One-Pan Convenience: This ground turkey sweet potato bake eliminates multiple cooking dishes, making cleanup a breeze while delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
  • Fuel Your Body with Balanced Nutrition: Packed with lean protein from ground turkey, complex carbohydrates from sweet potatoes, and added vegetables, this dish provides a wholesome meal that supports energy and muscle health.
  • Experience Layered Flavor Harmony: The combination of rosemary, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese creates a sophisticated taste profile that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal, tantalizing your taste buds with every bite.
  • Customize with Ease: The recipe offers flexible ingredients and seasonings, allowing home cooks to adapt the dish to personal preferences or dietary needs without compromising on taste or nutritional value.

Key Ingredients for Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

Main Ingredients:
  • Ground Turkey: Lean protein that creates a hearty base for the dish, best when fresh and not frozen.
  • Sweet Potatoes: Nutritious root vegetable with natural sweetness, choose firm potatoes without soft spots.
  • Zucchini: Light vegetable that adds moisture and texture, select small to medium size for best flavor.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic Powder: Provides depth and aromatic flavor without fresh garlic intensity.
  • Rosemary: Herb with earthy and pine-like notes, enhances overall dish complexity.
  • Salt and Pepper: Classic seasonings that balance and elevate other ingredients.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps with roasting and adds rich, smooth taste to the dish.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese that creates a golden, crispy topping.

How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F, getting ready for a delicious meal preparation.

Step 2: Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Peel and chop sweet potatoes, placing them in a large baking dish. Toss with:
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Rosemary
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Ensure sweet potatoes are evenly coated with seasonings.

Step 3: Roast Sweet Potatoes

Bake sweet potatoes for 30 minutes until they become tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 4: Cook Ground Turkey

While sweet potatoes roast, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Brown ground turkey with:
  • Garlic powder
  • Rosemary
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Cook until the meat is completely done.

Step 5: Slice Zucchini

Cut zucchini into rounds, then quarter each slice for even cooking.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Remove sweet potatoes from the oven after 30 minutes. Add browned ground turkey and chopped zucchini to the baking dish. Mix thoroughly.

Step 7: Continue Baking

Return the mixture to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 8: Add Cheese Topping

Remove from heat and drizzle remaining olive oil on top. Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese generously across the surface.

Step 9: Final Bake

Bake for another 10 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Serve the dish warm directly from the baking dish, ready to delight your taste buds.

Tips for a Perfect Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Maximize Sweet Potato Flavor: Toss sweet potatoes with oil and seasonings before roasting to develop deeper, caramelized taste profiles.
  • Perfect Turkey Browning: Ensure ground turkey is thoroughly cooked and nicely browned by breaking it into small crumbles during sautéing.
  • Zucchini Cutting Technique: Quarter zucchini rounds to ensure even cooking and prevent them from becoming mushy or undercooked.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly and watch closely during final baking to achieve a golden, slightly crispy top without burning.
  • One-Dish Wonder: Use a large baking dish that allows ingredients to spread out, promoting better caramelization and more consistent heat distribution.

Storing and Reheating Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Storage
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the ground turkey sweet potato bake fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
  • Freezing Method
  • Portion the cooled dish into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn. Wrap containers in aluminum foil for extra protection.
  • Reheating Technique
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

Pairing Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake with Sides

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the savory ground turkey and sweet potato's rich flavors, cutting through the dish's heartiness with bright, refreshing notes.
  • Serve Alongside Zesty Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the warm bake's richness, adding a tangy counterpoint that enhances the meal's overall taste profile.
  • Match with Herbal Iced Tea: Prepare a mint or basil-infused iced tea that echoes the rosemary in the recipe, providing a cool, herbaceous drink that refreshes the palate between bites.
  • Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving to introduce a burst of fresh green flavor and add a vibrant visual element to the dish.

Variations of Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Mediterranean Magic: Replace rosemary with oregano and add crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that brings Mediterranean coastal vibes to your dinner table.
  • Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced green chilies, cumin, and chili powder into the ground turkey mixture, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick that warms up your meal.
  • Herb Garden Blend: Swap out rosemary for fresh thyme and parsley, mix in some chopped spinach with the zucchini, and sprinkle goat cheese on top for an herbal, lighter version that feels like a garden-fresh experience.
  • Smoky Autumn Comfort: Add smoked paprika to the ground turkey, include diced bell peppers alongside zucchini, and use a sharp cheddar cheese topping to create a cozy, robust dish that celebrates autumn's rich flavors.
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mexican-inspired ground turkey sweet potato bake delivers a hearty, flavor-packed meal combining lean protein with earthy root vegetables. Zesty spices and melted cheese create a comforting dinner that satisfies hunger while delighting taste buds in one simple, wholesome dish.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (453 grams) ground turkey

Vegetables:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 small zucchini

Seasonings and Cheese:

  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) olive oil
  • 0.67 cup (160 milliliters) shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), preparing for a delectable one-pan meal.
  2. Carefully peel and cube sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even roasting.
  3. Transfer sweet potato cubes into a spacious ceramic or glass baking dish, creating an even layer.
  4. Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over the sweet potatoes, then sprinkle with garlic powder, dried rosemary, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
  5. Toss the sweet potatoes thoroughly to guarantee each piece is perfectly seasoned and coated.
  6. Roast the seasoned sweet potatoes for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to promote caramelization and prevent sticking.
  7. In a large skillet, heat of olive oil over medium-high heat for browning the ground turkey.
  8. Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and seasoning with garlic powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  9. Cook the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), ensuring no pink remains.
  10. Slice zucchini into thin half-moon shapes, then quarter each slice for consistent cooking.
  11. Once sweet potatoes are tender, remove the baking dish from the oven and mix in the browned ground turkey and zucchini pieces.
  12. Return the combined mixture to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and zucchini to soften.
  13. Sprinkle high-quality shredded Parmesan cheese evenly across the dish’s surface.
  14. Bake for a final 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and develops a light golden color.
  15. Let the dish rest for 3-4 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier.
  16. Serve immediately while warm, directly from the baking dish for a rustic, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Bursting with flavor, this one-pan wonder transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
  • Ground turkey provides lean protein while sweet potatoes offer a nutritious, slightly sweet base that perfectly complements the savory seasonings.
  • Zucchini adds a fresh, light crunch and extra veggie goodness, making this dish not just delicious but also packed with nutrients.
  • Rosemary and garlic powder create a herb-infused depth that elevates the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
  • Melted Parmesan cheese creates a golden, crispy topping that adds a rich, tangy finish to this hearty bake.
  • Quick to prepare and easy to clean up, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something tasty and nutritious.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 370 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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